DEEDS OF DARING 



8Y 



The American Soldier 



NORTH AND SOUTH 



THRILLING NARRATIVES OF 



PERSONAL ADVENTURE, EXPLOITS OF SCOUTS AND SPIES, FORLORN HOPES, HEROIC 

BRAVERY, PATIENT ENDURANCE, IMPRISONMENTS AND HAIR BREADTH ESCAPES, 

ROMANTIC INCIDENTS, HAND TO HAND STRUGGLES, HUMOROUS AND TRAGIC 

EVENTS, PERILOUS JOURNEYS, BOLD DASHES, BRILLIANT SUCCESSES, 

MAGNANIMOUS ACTIONS, ETC., ON EACH SIDE THE LINE 



DURING THE CIVIL WAR 



/ 



BY D. M. KELSEY, 
A tUhor of ^'■Pioneer Heroes and Daring Deeds.'' 



/V 



REVISED EDITION. ^.^ ^ ^ ^ 



V\H^' 



CHICAGO AND NEW YORK: 

THE WERNER COMPANY. 
1897. 



Copyright, 18S3 and 1886, 
By H. B, SCAMMELI.. 



Copyright, 1897, 
By Th:e Werner Company. 






EEDS or DARING. 




^ 




>o 



vo 



.ed Kai/'^o- 
— An 

ant '^ 



i^ONTENTS. 



CHAPTEE I. 
A PEKSEVERING ]VIESSENGER. 
The Dispatch Bearers — Danger of the Mission — An Unlucky Meeting — The Mes- 
senger Gets Left — Sent Back — Another Start — A More Unlucky Meeting — 
Court-Martialed by Guerillas — A Friend in Need — Sent Back Again — Irre- 
pressible — A Rendezvous in the Woods — Important Information — Why He 
Went Back— Gives it Up 23 

CHAPTEE II. 
PAST THE BLOCKADERS. 
Precautions Before Leaving England — An Uninviting Vessel and Unwilling Cap- 
tain — Cfhased — Into the Jaws of Death — And Out Again — Followed — A Per- 
sistent Enemy — But Bad Marksmanship — No Shots in Replj' — Nothing to 
Shoot— The Blockaders Get Tired— And the Rebs Get a Rest 30 

CHAPTEE III. 
ZOUAVES ON A SCOUT. 
Ready to Move — Spoiling for a Fight — Reconnoitering — Returning — Three to One — 
" We'll Back You " — A Surprise — A Skedaddle — A Brisk Engagement — A 
Rapid Retreat — The Spoils of the Battle — Caring for the Wounded — Another 
Surprise — A Strong Position — A Desperate Defense — A Hand-to-Hand En- 
counter — Terrible Odds — Every Man for Himself — Help Comes Too Late — 
Marks of the Fight 41 

CHAPTEE lY. 

THE ENEMY'S SECRETS, 
Lieut. Pelouze and His Friend — Interview with the President — On to Richmond 
— In the Confederate War Department — The Token — A Vengeful Woman — 
Trapped — The Spy's Escape — Leave of Absence — Ribbons and Photographs 
— "We Did It I" — Green Fields and Pastures New — A Friendly Enemy — 
Gen. Grant's Opinion — A Scouting Adventure 55 

CHAPTEE y. 
CAUGHT A TARTAR, 
A Reconnoissance — A Hard Road to Travel — Surprised — Surrender of Arms — His 
Captors Get His Ammunition and He Gets His Liberty 69 

CHAPTEE yi. 

A SCOUT TO BALTIMORE. 

Necessity for Information — Obliging Videttes — A Successful Ruse — An Unexpected 



viii Contents. 

Guest, Who Finds Himself in a Hornet's Nest, But Doesn't Get Stung — A Cor- 
dial Reception — Attentions from the Officer of the Day — Danger Ahead — Get- 
ting tlie Countersign — A Drunken OfBcer, Who Speedily Sobers OfiT — A 
Changed Home — Trustworthy (?) Messengers — A Deserved Fate — A Friendly 
Chat, That Ends Unpleasantly— Crossing the Elver— The F Alarmed — 
Pursuit — Vexation of the Pursuers — The Pursued Triumpha^ 74 

CHAPTEE YII. 
ZAGONYI'S FAMOUS CHARGE. 
Fremont — Zagonyi — Fremont's Body Guard — A Kid-Gloved Brigade — The Prairi' 
Scouts — Valuable Information — Strength and Disposition of the Confederates — 
"Fremont and the Union" — The Valley of Death — Zagonyi's Attack — Ketreat 
of the Enen\v— A Determined Foe— His Fate- The Fight Ended — Not a Kid- 
Gloved Brigade 85 

CHAPTER VIII. 

A VENTURESOME VENTURE. • 

Too Venturesome for a Leader — A Good Chance — In Ambush — A Disappointed 

Part}' — A Slim Chance — A Woman in the Case — A Desperate State of Affairs 

— A Golden Opportunit}' — That Proves to be Less Golden — A Division is 

Brought Out — Capture of the Scouts — Exchange .' 95 

CHAPTEE IX. 
GARFIELD'S DISPATCH BEARER. 

Marshall's Invasion of Kentucky — Disposition of the Federal Forces — John Jor- 
dan — The Precious Bullet — Summoned to Surrender — A Wild Break for Lib- 
ertj' — Answering the Owl — Pursued and Treed — A Lucky Misstep — The Er- 
rand Done — Dangers of the Return Journej^ — The Result — Garfield's Reward 
— John Jordan's Reward 104 

CHAPTEE X. 
THE GREAT RAILWAY RAID. 

The Georgia State Railroad — Tlie Backbone of the Confederacy — Going South — 
Twenty Minutes for Breakfast — An Unlooked for Interruption — A Ridiculous 
Race — Cutting the Telegraph Wire — Beauregnrd's Powder — A Dangerous Delay 
—The Reason For It— A Fatal Mistake— First Signs of Pursuit— The Race Ex- 
plained — Leaping Over the Obstructions — Tiie Impossible is Done — Unsuccess- 
ful Ruses — A New Danger — A Ray of Hope — The Engineer's Plan — The Cap- 
tain's — The Pursuit on Foot — Captured — Escape of Captain Andrews — Re- 
capture — His Fate — Fate of His Companions — A Daring Escape — The Presi- 
dent's Praise — The Missing 119 

CHAPTER XI. 

A SOLITARY SCOUT. 
His Errand — In the Enemy's Country — A Cordial Reception — A Mistaken Crowd — 
Cool Impudence — The Gunboats for Land Use — xV Yankee Trick — Decidedly 
Brilliant — A Horse in Church — A Scared Justice — A Friendly Warning — 
Asleep in the Storm — In a New Role — The Guest of a Regiment — An Unsuc- 
cessful Attempt — Pursued by Bloodhounds — Running Water — A Novel Bed — 



Contents. \ x 

A Dusky Friend— A Feast— A Horse and Buggy Impressed — Arrived in Style 
— Safe in Camp I39 

CHAPTEE XII. 
STRINGFELLOW AGAINST ODDS. 
A Small-sized Eaid — Posting the Force — A Bearer of Dispatches — Disobedience of 
Orders — An Alarming State of Affiiirs — The Biter Bit — Injured Innocence — An 
Indignant Prisoner — Something Wrong — The Prisoner Refuses to be Released 
— Between Two Fires — A Strong Temptation — Resisted — A Sudden Revelation 
— A Little Battle — A Surrender and Skedaddle — Astonishing the Pickets — A 
Race — A Battle of Larger Forces — Retreat of the Confederates — Taking Stock 
of the Spoils — He Called Himself a Fool — And Nobody Contradicted Him..l56 

CHAPTER XIII. 
CAPTURING A CAPTAIN. 

A Ghostly Visitor — Investigations — A Woman in the Case — Trooly Loil — A Sus- 
picious Officer — Determined to Find it Out — He Finds it Out — But Gets Lost 
Himself. 167 

CHAPTEE XIY. 
A SOUTHERN HEROINE. 
A Woman's Weapon — A Reason for Refusing a Pass — W^hich AVas Not Appre- 
ciated — A Gallant Enemy — A Post of Vantage — She Heard Their Plans — 
A Midnight Ride — Almost Caught — Safe Again — An Enemy Not Whipped 
Out of His Boots 171 

CHAPTEE XY. 
A SPY'S ADVENTURE. 

The Sp3^ — His Work Done — Leaving the Camp — Hunting the Boat — A Vain Search 
— His Character Suspected in Camp — Pursued — Bloodhounds — The Stream — 
Nearly Caught— The Dog's Fate— The Spy's Escape 181 

CHAPTEE XYI, 
ESCAPING THE DEATH-PENALTY. 

At Lexington — A Violated Parole — Alton Penitentiary — Solitary Confinement — 
A INIysterious Door — The Mj-stery Solved — Difficulties of the Undertaking — 
The Tunnel — A Friendly Boatman — Alarmed — Puzzled Guards — A Generous 
Comrade— Final Escape 188 

CHAPTEE XYII. 

NOT QUITE. 

Federal Vengeance — The Confederates Take a Hand — Drawing Lots for Life — A 

Little More Time — His Turn Comes — A Flight Through the Darkness— A 

Grisly Hiding-Place — A Friend in Need — A Familiar Voice — Ready to Sell 

His Life Dearly— Nobody Wants to Buy— Not Quite a Dead Man 201 

CHAPTEE XYIII. 
A DARING CAPTURE. 

The Prince George Cavalry — An Enterprise of Privates — Betrayed by a Dog— Tlie 



X Contents. 

Arrest — To McClellan's or Lee's Headquarters ? — The Captor's Prefer to Go to 
Lee's— Effect on the Crew 214 

CHAPTER XIX. 
CAPTAIISI' LIGHTNING'S TEICKS. 
Morgan's Kentucky Eaid — One of His Assistants — Keason for the Nickname — A 
Good Beginning — A Strange Coincidence — A Practical Joke — Lebanon — A 
Vanished Operator — A Bet Won — And Information Gained — An Astonished 
Operator — An Important Message — The Enemy Knew Too Much— But Not 
for Long — A Missing Instrument — An Ahxrmed Operator — Embarrassing 
Questions — Unsatisfactory Answers — Telling the Truth Does No Harm — A 
Prudent Operator — "Fixing Up a Plan to Capture Morgan" — A Sharp Kepri- 
mand — An Astonishing Statement — The Signature Explained — General Orders 
No. 1— No More Such Work— Ellsworth's Invention 219 

CHAPTER XX. 
A WONDEKFUL PvIDE. 
Self Praise is Half Scandal — An Enemy's Generosity — Charge on the Battery — A 
Cannoneer's Resolve — Saving a Gun — Five Hundred Bullets — The Mark Un- 
hit— Cheered by the Enemy— Safe 231 

CHAPTER XXI. 
A GENERAL'S ESCAPE. 
Manassas or Bull Run — Hunting for Troops — An Unexpected Meeting — A Trio of 
Stragglers — Who Exchanged Opinions — One is Suspected — They Had Better 
Have Let Him Go — A Surprised Federal 237 

CHAPTER XXII. 
A PAIR OF FORAGERS. 
They Want Their Breakfast — How They Got It — A Traitorous Hostess — Pursued— 
Close Quarters — A Narrow Escape — Detected — A Good Thing for the Com- 
mand ....24] 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

RESCUING A COMRADE. 

Infantry Curiosity — Cavalry Disgust — Moral of the Story — Attack on the Train — 

The Charge — Repulsed — Harper's Perilous Position — A Generous Offer — A 

Warm Meeting — Safe — A Close Shave — A Frank Confession — A Second 

Charge, and Its Result 246 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

SECRET SERVICE. 
A Mysterious Order — The Man Needed — Explanation of the Order — Disappear- 
ance of the Soldier — Sudden Appearance of the Quaker — Interviewing the 
Picket — Distributing Tracts and Examining Fortifications — An Innocent Note 
— With Much Meaning — An Unlucky Meeting — The Quaker Disappears — The 
Kind of Tracts He Meant — Suspicions Verified — News to Gen. Bragg — A 
Fine Old Country Gentleman — And Equally Fine Old Whis'' v— Gea. Bragg-'s 



Contents. xi 

Intentions— Tom Sees the Joke— Delay— Dangerous Proximity — Allaying Sus- 
picion — ANarrow Escape — A Second Mysterious Order 256 

CHAPTEE XXy. 

ONE OF MOSBY'S EAIDS. 
Affairs at Fairfax Court-House— Disposing of the Pickets — The Meaning of It- 
Prisoners and Booty — A Narrow Escape — Different Statements 271 

CHAPTEE XXVI. 
AN ADVENTURE OF PAULINE CUSHIMAN. 

Startling Advice— The Toast — Effect on the Audience—" Banished South " — Her 
Wanderings — Securing a Disguise — Setting Out— A Camp Eire- Friends or 
Foes?— Foes— Betrayed — Pursued— The Wounded Federal— Help— Captured— 
— Scaring Her Captors — Escape — After Adventures 275 

CHAPTEE XXVII. 

A DARING RESCUE. 

i Mysterious Hero — Seeking Danger — Stirring News — Friends in Peril — Recon- 

noissance — The Journey — A False Alarm — Outside the Jail — In the Jail — Keys 

of the Cells— A Single-Handed Attack— The Keys Secured— Release of the 

Prisoners — Retreat — Pursuit Eluded 290 

CHAPTEE XXVIII. 

A PRISONER'S NEWS. 
\. Friendly Chat— An Unwilling Listener — Exciting Tidings — His Resolve — Cir- 
cumstances Favoring His Escape — His Departure — Asking Aid — The Guide — 
Progress Under Difficulties — The End of the Journey — What Was Saved... 300 

CHAPTEE XXIX. 
A BLOCKADE-RUNNER'S FATE. 
A Volunteer Messenger — The Captain at Last — A Tempting Prize — Yankee 
Shrewdness— Outnumbered, but Victorious— A Collection of Johnnies- De- 
struction of the Cooper— A Hundred Men to the Rescue— Only They Didn't 
Get There— The Penalty of Being Good-Looking 309 

CHAPTEE XXX. 
CAPTURE AND ESCAPE OF MORGAN. 
The Partisan — The "Marion of the West"— Different Opinions— Reason for Raid 
—First Triumph— Called Back — Second Start — la Kentucky— Capt. Hines' 
Scout — A Warm Reception — Marauding — General Scare — Rapid Marching — 
High Water — Lessening the Force — Surrender of Morgan with Remnant of 
Command — Securing the Prisoners — Ohio Penitentiary — "Old Man Hevay" — 
The Prisoners Ride the Guard's Hobby — The Tunnel Begun — A Second Guard 
Taken in by Flattery — Eeconnoissance Made Possible — A Prize in the Shape 
of a Spade — Tunneling — Necessity for Haste — A Brother's Devotion — Outside 
the Penitentiary — Was There Collusion — A Traveling Companion — The Es- 
cape — Discovered — Morgan's Death 321 



xii Contents. 

CHAPTEE XXXI. 
A PERILOUS JOUENEY. 

Necessity for the Trip — Volunteers — The Extra Tallow Cans — Running the Batter- 
ies — Pursuit — The Obstacles — Useless Efl'orts — The Fireman's Plan — Oiling the 
Track — Pursuit Baffled — Escape — Delivery of the Dispatches 342 

CHAPTEE XXXII. 
A CRIPPLED MESSENGER. 
The Siege of Vicksburg — Caps and Dispatches to be Carried in — Departure — A 
Pleasing Sight — Past the Pickets — Loss of Crutch and Horse — A Canoe — On 
the River Among the Enemy's Gunboats — A Lazy Fisherman — Passing the 
Federal Guns — Failing Strength — In Vicksburg — Return — Finds a Horse — A 
Forager — An Unreliable Guide — A Cautious Enemy — A Lucky Find — De- 
livers his Dispatches 353 

• CHAPTEE XXXIII. 
IN THE ENEMY'S CAMP. 

The Scout's Fate — His Successor — The Errand Stated — Setting Out — Precautions — 
A Friendly Greeting — A Ready-made Disguise — A Guide Provided — The 
Countersign — The Sentry Disposed of— A Struggle — A Council of War — An 
Uninvited Member — A Wide-awake Sentry — Discovered' — "No, You Don't!" 
—"Tallahassee, Tallahassee !"— The Chase— Escape— The Result 362 

CHAPTEE XXXIY. 
"KILDEE" AND HIS FRIEND. 
The "Birds" — Within the Enemy's Lines — An Unexpected Obstacle — Difficulties 
of the Case — An Inquiring Mind — Satisfied — A Mad Ride — The Chase — Cap- 
tured— "Shall We Stretch Legs or Hemp?"— "Let Her Roll, Gallagher" — 
They Roll 872 

CHAPTEE XXXV. 

AN ESCAPE FROM LIBBY. 

Defying Search — Resolution to Escape — Opinion of Others — A Companion — An 

Unsuccessful Plan — Another Mtjde Proposed — Mystifying their Comrades — 

Passing the Guards — At the Rendezvous — A Keen-eyed Stranger — The Source 

of Help— At the Picket Post 378 

CHAPTEE XXXVI. 
A DANGEROUS MISSION. 
Necessity for Trusty Messenger — Col. Baker Volunteers — Dispatches Delivered — 
Danger Ahead — Worse and More of It — The Whole Confederate Army — A 
Break in the Column — Dashes Through — Pursued — Difficulties — Stratagem — 
Success — A Close Contest — Bull Run — The Stream is Crossed — Escape of 
Messenger. 387 

CHAPTEE XXXYII. 

A BREAK FOR LIBERTY. 

The Old Prison — Efforts to Escape — Col. Rose's Tunnel— A False Alarm— Hor- 



Contents. xiii 

rors of the "Dead Cellar" — Capt. Moran Finds the Passage — The Entrance to 
the Tunnel — Comrades — Into the Upper Air Again — Out of tlie City — Pur- 
sued — Separation — The Swainp — Surroundi'd — A Dash fur Liberty — Into tlie 
Enemy's Arms — Back to Libby 397 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
ADYENTURES OE AN ARTFUL DODGER. 
The Scout's Errand — His Force — Mode of Proceeding — A Bivouac in the Woods 
— Salt Mule and Sheet-Iron Crackers — A. Rude Awakening— "Let Me Dreau) 
Again" — Not So Fast Asleep as tlie Enemy Thought — Flight — Surrounded 
— Concealed — Discovered — The Difficulty of Riding aMule — Where is lie? 
— Nowhere — Safe 411 ' 

CHAPTEE XXXIX. 

CAPTURING A PARTISAN. 

The Partisan's Record — Efforts to Take Him — A Discovery — Pursuit by Two 

Men — A Rough Road — A Cold Bath and Its Results — Dashing Onward — The 

Scent Lost — Another Finds It — The Capture — Return — Value of the Prisoners 

—The Captor's Surprise. 422 

CHAPTER XL. 
COL. MENEFEE'S RIDE FOR LIFE. 
The Partisans and their Outfit— A Skirmish in the Woods — Federal Reinforce- 
ments — Retreat of Confederates — Pursuit — The JNIountain Side— For the Sake 
of One of His Men— A Steep Descent— A Dash Down It 427 

CHAPTER XLI. 
DAHLGREN'S RAID. 

The Object— Difference of Opinion— Organization of the Force— Dahlgren's Rec- 
ord—Departure—A Heavy Storm — Failure to Co-operate— Skirmish near 
Richmond— The Retreat— Crossing the Stream — Movements of the Confeder- 
ates—The Ambush in the Woods— Death of Col. Dahlgren— Action of the 
Confederate Government > 432 

CHAPTER XLII. 
ADVENTURE OF FORAGERS. 
Relaxing Discipline— Three Foragers- A Promising Barn— Captured— A Council 
of War— Ten Minutes to Pray In— They Prefer to Pray Somewhere Else 
— A Race and an Interested Spectator — Who Soon Has a Race of His Own- 
Escape — Revenge 4^- 

CHAPTER XLIII. 

DOWN HILL. 

Sheridan's Instructions— Why the Feds Withdrew— The Colonel's Horse— Hunt- 
ing a Captor— Under the Tree— Willing to be Plucked— No Orderly There 
—The Colonel's Guard— The Adjutant— An Affecting Story— A Halt— In the 
Shadow— Obligingly Forgetful— Rolling Down the Hill— An Alarming Bugle 
—Doubt— Yankee Doodle— With Friends 448 



xiv Contents. 

CHAPTEE XLIV 
A CAPTIVE TIGER. 
Situation of the Armies — Lee's Invasion of Pennsylvania — Battle of Gettysburg 
—The Tiger Caught— The Tiger Caged— Life at Eort Delaware— Two Souls 
with but a Single Thought — The Life Preservers — The Galvanized — Under 
the Carpenter-Shop — An Indulgent Sentry — The Iron-Clads Tested — Suc- 
cess 460 

CHAPTEE XLY. 
A CHAPLAIN'S EXPLOIT. 

Left Behind — Sympathy for tlie Sick — Eeal Sympathy — A Mad Undertaking — 
Ridiculed by Comrades — Determined to Go — The Preparations of a Non-Com- 
batant — Approaches the Enemy's Stronghold — " Who Goes There ! " — An Unex- 
pected Friend — Passing the Enemy's Pickets — Reaching the Hospital — The De- 
serted Mansion — The Sick Soldier— A Sad Sight—" I Have Come to Take You 
to Camp, Billy" — Challenged — A Close Shave — Through the Darkness — 
Safe at Last.....' 473 

CHAPTEE XLYI. 
LIEUT. BAILEY'S EXPERIENCE. 
Siege of Atlanta — A Mission of Danger — A Determined Charge — A Firm Re- 
sistance — Captured — A Drunken Captor — " Fall in, Prisoners " — An Effort to 
Escape — Retaken — The Bivouac — Buried Alive — The Grave — Waiting — 
Resurrection — A Friend — More Friends — In the " Quarters " — Jim — Setting 
Out — A Young Scout — Who Proves Unreliable — "Tie-Tickets" on the Rail- 
road — Worn-out — Disappointment — Rest — A Sleepy Sentinel — Recaptured — 
Forebodings of Evil — Two Tete-a-tetes — A Plan — A Good Place to Die In^ 
The Funeral Arranged — Two Minutes to Pray — -A Leap for Life — The Pursuit 
— Wounded — A Friend in Need — Return Home 485 

CHAPTEE XLVII. 
VISITING HOME UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 
A Disappointment to Begin With — Determined to Go — Reluctance of Officer — 
The Union Men of Teimessee — Tinker Dave Beatty — Tricking the Feder- 
als — Capt. Guild's Plan — A Friend — Dangers of the Attempt — "Our" Men — 
In Sight of Home — Reception — Departure — Fate of His Comrades — With 
Friends 500 

CHAPTEE XLYIII. 
CAPTURED BY MOSBY. 

Congratulations — Spencer Rifles — Congratulations Postponed — Col. Mosby — The 
Auction — A Disgusted Darkey — Mosby's Defense of His Men — On to Rich- 
mond — The Bivouac — Plans for Escape — A Cliarming View — A Slim Chance 
— Scarce of Horses — A Successful Ruse — " Now's the Time, Boys" — A Sudden 
Melee— The Enemy Scattered— The Flight— Concealment— Why Wash Went 
for the Corn— Why He Hurried Back — "Looking Out For Yanks"— Find- 
ing Them ....517 

CHAPTEE XLIX. 

ARRESTING A SMUGGLER. 

Reasons for the Trade — The Eiforts of the Police — The Military Authorities — 



Contents. xv 

Going it Alone — A Green Soldier — A Surly Sailor — A Fine Boat — The Arrest 
— ^A Combat of Will — He Concludes to Surrender — The Lumber Yard — Com- 
pletely Vanquished 584 

CHAPTEE L. 

TWO OF THE BLACK HORSE CAVALRY. 
Organization of the Corps — Circumstances of One Adventure — The Price of Liq- 
uor — Honor Pledged — " As E:isy as Lying " — A Part of the Price — The Rest 
of It — An Important Prisoner — Gen. Stuart's Gallantry Tested — He Sees the 
Joke — The Corps Disbanded 541 

CHAPTEE LI. 
DESTRUCTION OF THE ALBEMARLE. 

Torpedoes — The Albemarle — Lieut. Cushing's Plan — The Expedition — Precau- 
tions Adopted — The .Tournej- — Defenses of the Ram — The Attack — Confusion 
— The Launch — Disabled — Federals Captured — Lieut. Cushing's Narrow Es- 
cape — Senseless on the Shore — Hears of His Own Death — Creeping Away — 
Difficulties — The Swamp Road — An Astonished Darkey — A Satisfactory Re- 
port — A Prize — Floating Down the Roanoke — Perplexed Marines — A Surprise 
— Honor Claimed by Another Man — The Claim Disproved 550 

CHAPTEE LII. 
CONFEDERATES IN SHERIDAN'S CAMP. 

Necessity for Information — The Party — "One of Blazer's Scouts" — A Sleepy 
Picket — The End Accomplished — Another Trip — Confederate Vcjtes for Lin- 
coln — Issuing Orders to a Federal Officer — Blazer's Scouts in Reality — A 
Hot Pursuit — Taking the Fence — Back to His Men — A Desperate Skirmish — 
After Events 562 

CHAPTEE LIII. 
AN ESCAPE FROM A TRAIN. 
The Road — Removal of Prisoners — Carelessness of Guards — Heavy Rain — Escape 
— Escape Discovered — Pursued — Baffling the Bloodhounds — The Swamp — A 
Great Loss — Helped by the Negroes — A Scare — An Unexpected Friend — Re- 
inforcements — Hope Deferred — A Surprise — A Battle — Flight — Alone and 
Hopeless— Friends — Counting the Loss — Safe 573 

CHAPTEE LIY. 
A RAID FOR HORSES. 
A Mount Wanted— A Chance to Get One — Bad Weather— "A Thrifle Nearer " 
— A Little Too Near — Success — A Brick — A Charge and a Chase — A Fall on 
the Ice — Another Prisoner — Riding Double — An Affecting (?) Farewell — Bad 
Luck— A Call on the Ladies— War Toilets— The Dinner They Missed— The 
Dinner They Didn't Miss^A Good Time — A Rude Awakening — Captured — 
Well Guarded — " Good Night" — A Prearranged Signal — "He Hasn't Escaped, 
But He's Going To" — And He Does — Chasing a Riderless Horse — The Rider 
Escapes on Foot — Gen. Sherman's Opinion on Horses and a Soldier's Mode of 
Procuring Them 583 



xvi Contents. 

CHAPTEE LV. 
CAPTUKE AND FLIGHT OF THE COKEESPONDENTS. 

The Newspaper Man — llunniiig the Confederate Batteries at Vicksburg — Cap- 
tured — Libby — Plans to Escape — Castle Thunder — Salisbury — Hurry Up — 
Change in Management — A Forged Pass — Another Plan — An Apologetic 
Guard — Past the Outer Guards — Prudent Halt — The Gray Mare — Cold 
Weather— Sable Friends— Losing the Way — "The Old United States" — 
"Nobody Ever Gits Thar" — The March Across the Mountains— Dan Ellis, 
the Famous Guide — Generous Enemies — Danger Threatens — A Pretty Guide 
—The Federal Pickets 598 

CHAPTEE LYI. 
THE INSANITY DODGE. 
Necessary Precautions — Have Tou Seen a Horse — A Second Meeting — A Well 
Played Part — An Unsuccessful Search — Delivery of Dispatches 617 

CHAPTEE LYII. 
WHEELEPv'S CAVALPvY ESCAPADES. 
Stage of the War — Gen. Wheeler's Determination — A Companion — Swimming 
the Peedee — An Uninvited Comrade — An Earnest Appeal — A Borrowed 
Name — " Sam. Johnson" — A Hearty Welcome — Sam's Bashfulness — A Sud- 
den Alarm — Unfounded Anxiety — "Scare 'em out of their Boots" — Signs of 
the Enemy — The Bugler — Eetreat of the Enemy — Incidents of the Pursuit — 
Advance of Gen. Hampton 622 

CHAPTEE LVIII. 

DESTROYING THE ENEMY'S STORES. 
The Deserter's Information— Wouldn't Be Outdone- The Invitation Accepted— 
The Departure from Camp — Pompey's Distrust— At the Point Threatened — 
Access to the House — Enemies Near — Caution — The Powder Securely Dis- 
posed of— A Sudden Attack— A Desperate Struggle— Victory— Rapid Re- 
treat — Pompey's Dismay 632 

CHAPTEE LIX. 

CAPTURING TWO GENERALS. 

An Attractive Idea— Cumberland — How They Got the Countersign— Gathering 

in the Reserve — " Scouts from New Creek " — No Time for Ceremony— A 

Faithful Servant—" Sent Out to Reconnoiter "—Necessity for Haste— Pursued 

— Escape With Prisoners — Recognition of Services 644 

CHAPTEE LX. 
A NARROW ESCAPE. 
A Couple of Deserters — The Court-Martial's Finding— Preparations for the Exe- 
cution—An Impressive Scene— " Shoulder Arms!" — Baltimore Telegraph 
Office- A Delayed Dispatch— " For Mr. Lincoln's Sake"— By Way of New 
York and Chicago— To Harper's Ferry- Just in Time— Pardoned 651 



Contents. xvu 

CHAPTEE LXI. 

DETERMINED TO ESCAPE. 
A Spirited Engagement-A Victory Barren of Trophies-Disposition of the Pris- 
oners-Prison Pastimes-Base Ball-" Opinions of the Press "-Better Sport- 
Efforts to Escape-Timneling-Failure-A Drunken Driver-Almost Free- 
Eecaptured-A Daring Plan-Scaling the Parapet-He Escapes- Almost m 
•Canada-Eetaken by Farmers-Spirit Broken-Spirit Gets Mended-Busy at 
Work- A Wonderful Achievement— "An Escape Planned "—Guards Doub- 
led-Strict Examination— Review of Inspecting Party— Discovery of Prison- 
er among Them— A Sensible and Generous Officer— Remanded to Prison— 
How He Was Freed ^^^ 



iiST OF Illustrations. 



The Dispatch-Bearer's Strategy, . 

"You're a Yankee Spy," 

Pursued and Pursuer Fast Aground 

A Headlong Pursuit, 

The Fight on Kelley's Island, 

The Spy's Interview with Uncle Abe 

The Bogus- Priest, 

"Spies! Spies! Yankee Spies!" 

Catching a Tartar, . 

"Mine isn't," 

Major Zagonyi, 

Charge op Fremont's Body G-uard 

Attack on Zagonyi, . 

" There's only four or them !" 

A Piece of Work to be Done, 

"Who! Who! Who!" The Featherless Owl, 

Treed, But Not Caught Yet, 

The Steed, but not the Man, 

Cutting the Telegraph Wires, . 

The Pursuit, ..... 



PAGE. 

Full Page, Frontispiece. 

26 

Full 



Full 



Page, 
Page, 



38 

45 

52 

56 

60 

68 

72 

82 

86 

90 

93 

Full Page, 100 

. 106 

113 

114 

117 

122 

Full Page, 126 



Full Page, 



Escaped Prisoners Captured with Bloodhounds, Full Page, 134 
A Horse in Church, ..... 143 

" Hi, uncle ?" ...... 150 

" Stop a minute, won't you ?" . . . . 152 

The Scout, ..... Full Page, 154 

Four to One, ...... 160 

"Why do you wear men's boots?" . . . 169 

" Her very life seemed centered in her ears," . 174 

The Urgent Midnight Message, .... 177 

The Spy and the Bloodhound, . . Full Page, 186 

Diagram of Escape of Fifty Confederate Prisoners from 
Old Alton Penitentiary, . . . . 194 

A Southern Underground Eoute, . . . 197 



List of Illustrations. 



XIX 



Drawing Lots for the Death-Penalty, 

A Mean Yankee Trick, 

A Grisly Hiding-Place, 

Boarding the Vessel, 

"Do AS I tell you at once," 

Bull Eun Battle-Field, 

The Cannoneer's Eide, 

Turning the Tables, 

The Mysterious Signals, 

Quick Work, 

A Cavalry Charge, 

An Infantry Charge, 

Eescuing a Comrade, 

Gen. Earl Van Dorn, 

Van Dorn and the Quaker, . 

" What does this mean, sir V 

Pauline Cushman, 

A Midnight Visitor, 

Guerillas in Camp, 

Nearing the Chasm, 

Eescuing the Condemned Scouts, 

Passing the Batteries at Vicksburg 

Seeking a Guide, 

" Leave your address. Pomp," 

"We are all genuine Johnnies," 

Burning the Blockade-Eunner, 

Gen. John H. Morgan, 

Morgan's Eaiders, 

Harassed Eaiders, 

The Escape, 

EUNNING THE GaUNTLET, 

Oiling the Track, 
"Like a shot past the picket," 
Passing the Port-Holes, 
Giving the Countersign, 
The Struggle with the Sentry, 
Peering into the Tent, 
Firing the Eockets, 
"Anything but capture," 
LiBBY Prison, 
Passing the Guard, 
2 



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204 
208 
210 
216 
224 
232 


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''34 
239 


• 




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244 


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255 


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• 


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273 
276 
279 


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285 


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351 
355 
359 


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366 




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374 




• 


379 
382 



XX 



List of Illustrations. 



In HiDiNa, 

A Shot from the Thicket, 

The Pickets Take a Hand, 

The Prisoner's Dream of Home 

Diagram op Tunnel, 

2n the Dead Cellar, 

A EuDE Awakening, 

The Mule Changes His Mind, 

A Cold Bath, 

Menefee's Eide, 

Gen. N. B. Forrest, 

Gen. H. J. KiLPATRicK, 

Crossing the Eapidan, 

Col. XJlric Dahlgren, 

Death of Dahlgren, 

The Foragers Surprised, . 

A Bad Fall, 

Eough Eolling, 

A Critical Situation, . 

A Non-combatant's Equipment, 

The Deserted Comrade, 

Dashing Past the Sentinel, 

The Burial, 

The Eesurrection, . 

A Short Shrift, 

Stealing by the Pickets, . 

"Halt — surrender!" 

Col. John S. Mosby, 

"now's the time, boys !" 

" Did any of you ever eat any negro ? 

" Don't you dare to draw, sir !" 

Black Horse Cavalryman, 

A Eepast Disturbed, 

Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, 

Lieut. W. B. Cushing, 

Destruction of the Albemarle, 

A Concealed Listener, 

Meeting the Darkey, 

Beguiled by Whisky, 

A Bad Jump, 

Homeward Bound, 

The Toilet, 



. 


385 


, ^ 


391 


. 


. Full Page, 394 


, 


F^ill Page, 400 


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402 




404 


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418 


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430 


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433 


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490 




503 




513 


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521 


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VEGRO?" 


531 


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542 


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548 




549 


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551 




554 


. 


557 




559 


, 


664 




Full Page, 570 


. 


576 




.589 



List of Illustrations. 



XXI 



" Surrounded by Yankees !" 

The Signal — "Bonnie Doon/' 

The Catastrophe, 

Castle Thunder, 

Salisbury Prison, 

Dusky Ministering Angels, 

Fugitives Crossing the Blue Ridge, 

Capt. Dan Ellis, 

The Insane Dodge, 

GrEN. Wade Hampton, 

Gen. Joseph Wheeler, . 

" The best singer in the army," 

Following the Bugle, . 

Pomp's Anxiety, . • . 

Putting the Enemy in the Well, 

Getting the Countersign, 

The Reprieve, 

Old Capitol Prison, 

Changing Clothes with the Drunken 

Stoning the Guard, 

" Where's your cartridge-box ?" 



, , , 


591 


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595 


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602 


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604 


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N Soldier, 


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O o 


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DEEDS OF DARING 

BY 

The American Soldier 



j::!haptef^ I 

A PERSETERING MESSENGER. 

The Dispatch Bearers — Danger of the Mission — ^An Unlucky Meeting — The Messen- 
ger Gets Left — Sent Back — Another Start — A More Unlucky Meeting — Court- 
martialed by Guerillas — A Friend in Need — Sent Back Again — Irrepressible — ^A 
Kendezvous in the Woods — Important Information — Why He Went Back — 
Gives It Up. 

IT was the night of the 21st of April, 1861, when four men 
took their seats on the train from the National Capital to 
Annapolis. They held no communication with each other, and 
any ordinary observer would have supposed them entire stran- 
gers ; but this was only an assumed manner, in order to increase 
the chances of doing the work assigned to them. They were 
Col. Lander, Maj. Welsh, Mr. "Van Valkenburg and Commissary 
Patton of the New York Seventh Regiment, and were charged 
with dispatches of importance from Gen. Scott, then in com- 
mand of the United States Army, to Gen. Butler. The mission 
was fraught with peculiar danger and difficulty, as so many of 
the Marylanders were ardent Secessionists; and the Union men 
could not, at that early stage of the war, tell readily what 
chance-met friend would turn out a foe. But the four with 
whom we have to deal thought they were to be favored by for- 
tune in this respect, as they reached the Junction without any 
one of them having been recognized. 

Such good fortune was not to last forever, though ; for, as 
the train drew up at the platform, and Mr. Patton, with the 

23 



24 ^ Persevering Messenger. 

other passengers, stepped off the car, his hand was warmly 
grasped by an old acquaintance. 

'' Why, how are you, Patton 't I thought you were a National 
Guard — what are you doing here V 

" Oh, nothing in particular. You oughtn't to think so much," 

"Oughtn't to think so much'r' What do you mean?" 

Mr. Patton quietly explained as much of the real state of 
affairs as was necessary and not imprudent; but the mischief 
Avas already done. In those days there were men always ready 
to play the spy over another's actions, to gain in an underhand 
and surreptitious manner knowledge having a market price; 
and although few officers were willing to hold any converse with 
such men, there were some who held that all things were fair in 
war. One of these informers had happened to overhear the 
bluff greeting, and lost no time in conveying the fact that a mem- 
ber of the National Guard was in town. 

Mr. Patton strolled toward the Annapolis train with his friend, 
little suspecting that any note had been taken of that friend's 
words. But the suspicion had spread rapidly, and when he 
went to the hotel, to find when the train would start, he was put 
off by evasive answers to that simple question ; they had no time 
table up to date — thought it would go in fifteen minutes — and the 
speaker appealed to a bystander. Mr. Patton was about to re- 
monstrate somewhat angrily, when he saw the train, some forty 
or fifty yards from him, move off. At the same time he was 
approached by a resident of the town, whom he afterwards 
found to be a prominent lawyer there. 

" What is your business in town, sir ?" this individual asked. 

"It is not with you, sir," replied Mr. Patton, as j)olitely as 
the meaning of his words would permit. 

"But mine is with you; you are suspected of being a spy." 

"I am no spy, but a messenger from the War Department at 
Washington to the commandant at Annapolis." 

The stranger bowed and withdrew ; but only a few feet ; from 
the new position he signaled to the captain of a militia com- 
pany that was drilling a short distance away. The drill was 
interrupted, and the* entire force marched towards them. The 
captain stepped up to Mr. Patton and demanded his business. 

"I am a messenger from the Secretary of War to the Command- 
ant at Annapolis. I do not understand why you question me : 
are you an officer of the United States ?" 



A Persevering Messenger. 25 

" I am in command of the militia volunteering for home pro- 
tection. We are not United States soldiers." 

''I was not aware that this state had seceded. In any event, 
I demand that you treat me as a prisoner of war, for I am an 
oflficer of the United States Government." 

A little cowed by the prisoner's resolute tone, the officer 
withdrew to hold a council of war with two or three of his sub- 
ordinates. The conference was a short one; all had heard every- 
thing that had been said, and had been affected in the same way. 
After a moment the captain turned again to Mr. Patton : 

"Well," he said, "you can't go on, anyhow ; you've got to 
go back to Washington. We'll send you back in a wagon." 

"Yery well," replied Mr. Patton; " I suppose your wagon is 
not ready yet? I'll walk along the road until it overtakes me." 

This was assented to ; but if he had any hopes of escaping 
from them in that way, and continuing his journey, they were 
doomed to disappointment, for the wagon overtook him in a 
very short time, and he was driven to the outposts of Washing- 
ton. But, although he had not objected to their arrangements 
when he was in the hands of the militia, he had no notion of 
carrying out their plans any farther than necessity compelled. 
So that the wagon was hardly out of sight when he turned to re- 
trace his steps, hoping to reach Annapolis by a road which did 
not lead through the Junction. Being very tired, he felt that he 
would be unable to proceed much farther, when he was over- 
taken by a farmer driving home. The offer of a dollar for a 
" lift," was gladly accepted, and Mr. Patton slept in the bottom 
of the wagon until the countryman arrived at his destination. 

Once more on foot, he must find a guide, that the journey 
might be accomplished as speedily as possible ; and was fortun- 
ate enough to overtake a boy who agreed, " for a consideration," 
to act in that capacity. Everything appeared to go well upon 
this second start, and he began to hope that his progress would 
not again be interrupted. But as they i^urned into the main 
road, they were met by a half-drunken fellow armed to the 
teeth, who ordered them to " hold on, there." 

"Who are you?" he demanded. 

"My name is Moore," replied Patton, anxious that his real 
name and errand should not be known to the guerillas, of whom 
this fellow was evidently one. 

"Where (hie) you going to ?" 



A Persevering Messenger. 



**I*m going to Annapolis, to oolleot some money due me 
there." 

The questioner eyed him critically for a jpcioment, and Patton 
thought that suspicion would fail to get into that befuddled 
brain, when the guerilla broke out with : 

"Say, I don't (hie) b'lieve a d — d word o' that. You*re a 
Yankee spy ; tha's wha' y'are." 
"I have told you my name and business," said Mr. Patton firmly; 

"now let me pass." 
"Won't let any 
d — d Yankee spy 
pass. You've got to 
(hie) come with me 
to tavern. Come 
'long, now." 

If the messenger 
had spoken firmly, 
his waylayer showed 
signs of stubbornness 
such as is only to be 
seen in a man some- 
thing more than half- 
seas-over; and know- 
ing that a shot, or 
any other alarm, 
would speedily call a larger force to the ground, Mr. Patton 
decided to go to the tavern, hoping to escape on the way, or 
to find that his captor had no reinforcements there except 
liquor. But, unfortunately, his calculations were based on 
false grounds; and he found several other guerillas there, all 
fully armed, and all as drunk as his captor. The latter announ- 
ced that he had taken a prisoner, and the whole company was 
speedily resolved into a court martial. 

" Gren'lm'n, 'fore we proceed ter c'nsideration (hie) this case, 
le's have 'nother drink all round." 
"I move to 'mend — two drinks." 

The drinks were accordingly ordered and discussed. The 
captor was called as witness. 

" Court martial's always held in writing — ^too much trouble in 
this case for such a fellow's that. Whero'd you ketch him?'' 
" Down 't the fork; he's a spy." 




" Vou^re a Yankee Spy.'* 



A I^ersevering Messenger. 27 

"Then he ought to be shot," decided the first, who acted as 
chief of the judges, and appeared to have some kind of author- 
ity over the others. 

" 'Taint so," growled a third ; " hang him, if he's a spy." 

" Don' know," remarked a fourth, who appeared to be less 
drunk than the others; " better lock him up." 

Number five had been nodding over his emj)ty glass j but now 
awakened with a start, and sagely remarked that they had bet- 
ter take another drink on it. The wisdom of this decision was 
so apparent that there was no argument following it, and the 
liquor was unanimously called for. But if before they had 
had any idea of prudence, or of obedience to the laws of war, it 
was washed completely away as the fiery stuff was gulped down ; 
and in a moment more they were all resolved to hang the spy. 
A rope was procured, and the prisoner, who saw no possibility 
of escape, was marched out into the yard. The rope was ad- 
justed over the limb of a tree with as much skill as if the mem- 
bers of the court martial had occasionally assisted Judge Lynch, 
and the preparations were complete. 

" Hallo ! What are you doing there ?" asked a horseman, who 
had ridden up while they were making their few rude arrange- 
ments. 

"Going to hang a d — d Yankee spy," was the answer, in a 
tone in which obstinacy and deference were curiously mingled. 

" Fall back !" was the authoritative command ; and the horse- 
man, as soon as his order was obeyed, approached Mr. Patton, 
and said : , 

" I know you ; you are a member of the National Guard ; I 
drank with you in Baltimore. Where were you going when 
they captured you ?" 

"To Annapolis." 

" On your own business, or that of the United States Govern- 
ment ?" 

" That of the Government." 

" Well, I can't allow you to go on ; that would be inconsistent 
with my duty as commander of this district; but if you will give 
me your word of honor that you will go straight back to Wash- 
ington, I will release you." 

Patton, glad to be released on any conditions from the drunk- 
en set who had held him prisoner, readily consented to do this, 
and was soon retracing his steps a second time. He arrived at 



28 A Tersevermg Messenger, 

Washington without further adventure, and reported the failure 
of his efforts to Gen. Scott. In the capital he learned that three 
colleagues with whom he had set out, had beep no more success- 
ful than himself, having been arrested and sent back before they 
reached Annapolis. 

But he was not thus to be baffled ; he had made two efforts 
and failed ; and with faith in the magic of the mystic number, 
ho determined to try the third time. His parole, of course, did 
not bind him to any course of action, except the direct return to 
Washington; he had re-entered the capital in accordance with 
his promise, and had reported to the general in command of the 
forces there; he was then free to enter upon any other work, 
and he chose to make the attempt once more. 

He next disguised himself completely, and in company with 
a friend who owned a very fast team, drove out of the capital in 
,a buggy. The object of the trip was to search for a stolen horse; 
and every one whom they met was questioned as to whether he 
had seen the animal in question. Strangely enough, no one had 
seen any traces of such a stray horse as the two described, and 
they drove onward. Their ruse forbade their traveling by 
night; so, as darkness came on, they stopped at a tavern for 
supper, lodging and breakfast. Having duly refreshed the in- 
ner man, the two retired to the room assigned them. But Pat- 
ton, in order to gain time, decided to push through on foot. 

It was important, however, that this movement should not be 
known to the people in the house until the next morning; sp he 
departed, by stealth, when they supposed he had gone to bed ; 
his companion remaining to take the buggy and horses back to 
Washington. He made his way to the woods, fearing that on the 
road he might be stopped ; and journeyed to a considerable dis- 
tance without meeting with any adventure. But now the sound 
of horses' feet were heard and the voices of men. He hastily 
concealed himself; and all his haste was needed ; he had scarce- 
ly a moment to spare before they were within a few feet of his 
hiding-place. There, much to his dismay, they halted, and were 
soon joined by two or three other parties that came from differ- 
ent quarters. It was evidently a rendezvous, but whether of 
guerillas or regularly enlisted Confederates, he could not tell. 

"Where's the Seventh, now?" asked one who appeared to 
have the authority of a commanding officer. 

" Embarked on the Washington train this evening," said one. 



A Persevering Messenger. 29 

"Is that bridge all right ?" 

" Yes, sir," replied another -, the nuts are all off the bolts ; 
the train is bound to go down." 

This was evidently the chief thing to be reported, and in a 
little time the whole body moved off. Creeping from his hiding- 
place as soon as they were far enough away to render it safe, 
Patton hastened back to the hotel and aroused his companion. 
Together they started towards the bridge which had been so 
tampered with, intending to prevent the passage of the train. 
His effort in this case was successful, for.the train was not quite 
due when they arrived at the end of the bridge, and many lives 
were saved by the timely warning. 

The third effort to get to Annapolis was now foiled ; for, even 
if his identity and business were not known at the hotel, he had 
at least aroused suspicion by leaving with his friend in the mid- 
dle of the night. Then, too, he was utterly worn out by the three 
attempts, having driven eighty miles and walked thirty in the 
thirty hours. So after three distinct efforts to perform the task 
assigned him, he was finally obliged to turn it over to others, 
with only the consolation of a duty bravely attempted, though 
baffled by circumstances. 



HpHAPTER II. 
PAST THE BLOCKADERS. 

Precautions Before Leaving England — An Uninviting Vessel and Unwilling Cap- 
tain — Chased — Into the Jaws of Death — And Out Again — Followed — A Per- 
sistent Enemy — But Bad Marksmanship — No Shots in Reply — Nothing to 
Shoot— The Blockaders Get Tired— And the Rebs Get a Rest. 

ACEETAIIST wealthy South Carolinian, accompanied by his 
wife, went abroad in the year 1860. After several months 
spent pleasantly in Europe, they proceeded to Egj^pt. Here they 
lingered over the ancient ruins until suddenly called again to 
the living active world. A special courier had been sent up the 
Nile with some intelligence of merely personal interest; he 
brought with him some papers of later date than the tourists had 
yet seen ; and in these was contained the startling information 
that the first gun had been fired at Sumter upon the National 
Flag. 

''We must go home at once," said the traveler to his wife; 
"for every man will be needed in the Southern army before the 
struggle is ended." 

Hastily, then, they prepared to depart. A Vigilance Commit- 
tee of the North had been established in London, as they learned 
on reaching the English metropolis; the United States Minister, 
Mr. Adams, is said to have repudiated indignantly all knowledge 
of the proceedings of this institution; but however this might be, 
our tourists' friends informed them that the names of Southern 
men who left England for the West Indies were invariably gaz- 
etted in the New York papers. To avoid this, our traveler, 
whose name was one well-known in the annals of his native 
State, was advised to adopt another, which would not be so read- 
ily recognized. It was as Mr. and Mrs. Crosby, then, that they 

30 



Tast the Blochiders. 81 

sailed from Sonthamptoii, and by that name we will call them 
throughout this story. 

We need not follow them in their voyage to Havana, where 
they arrived just three days after Messrs. Mason and Slid ell had 
resumed their interrupted journey to England. Safe under the 
protection of the British flag of the vessel in which they had 
crossed the ocean, they had no difficulty whatever in getting 
into port; getting out was a different matter, when they were at 
last re-embarked in a Confederate vessel. 

In the first place, they had to wait several days for the arrival 
of such a craft. Finally, one arrived — a swift, strong steamer, 
drawing but little water, and, consequently, most admirably 
adapted to the work in which she was engaged. She had served 
as a tug-boat on the Lower Mississippi before the war — and a 
boat less fitted for the reception of passengers could not easilj" 
have been found. Nor did she, to the amateur eye, apj^ear sea- 
worthy. Besides all these disadvantages, the crew were as 
reckless looking a set of dare-devils as could be picked up in 
New Orleans for a service so full of perils. Altogether, the 
idea of a voyage in such a vessel was so uninviting that one 
gentleman, who, with his wife, had expected to accompany Mr. 
and Mrs. Crosby, flatly refused to ship in the Victoria. 

During the stay of this vessel in Havana, she passed into the 
hands of English owners, who determined to run her back at 
all hazards. She had brought over a cargo of cotton and sug- 
ar, on which, in anticipation of future scarcity of these articles, 
an unusually handsome profit had been made. The proceeds 
were invested in forty thousand pounds of gunpowder, a com- 
modity sorely needed in the Confederacy. A number of rifles 
and other munitions of war were placed in her hold, the mass of 
the cargo being just under the cabin. As a protection from 
chance sparks, a layer of bags of coffee was placed over the gun- 
powder; but the carelessness of all the smokers on board made 
it wonderful that no stray cigar stump fell into this somewhat 
inflammable shield. 

"I don't know exactly what the chances are of our being cap- 
tured by the Yankees," remarked Mr. Crosby to a fellow-pas- 
senger, " but it looks as if we Avere quite as likely to be blown 
up by our own men." 

The listener, a Louisianian named Beaujeu, only shrugged his 
shoulders and smiled in reply. 



32 Fast the Blockadtrs. 

" Well, whatevei* happens," put in another of the party, a 
Mississippian, named Cooper, "we can't accuse the captain of 
persuading us to ship with him. He has done all in his power 
to frighten us off, and has ended by insisting that the owners 
shall charge us an exorbitant fare in gold." 

" Certainly, my dear fellow, if a stray spark penetrates to the 
powder, we'll not blame the captain or anybody else," rejoined 
Crosby. 

"Nobody'll ever know who was to blame," continued Beau- 
jeu, with mock pathos. 

But in spite of the captain's olDJections to passengers, there 
were several of them on board the Yictoria when about six 
o'clock on the evening of February 7th, 1861, she steamed out 
of the harbor of Havana. There was no danger of meeting 
with the enemy less than three miles from shore, for that dis- 
tance from the territory of a neutral power they were bound by 
the law of nations to respect. 

In those early days of the war, the Federal authorities had 
not yet learned the importance of guarding the Pennnsylvania 
coal mines. Anthracite coal was still exported, and thus the 
Confederate steamers were enabled to obtain, from so-called 
neutrals, a supply of the fuel so necessary to their safety. There 
was no smoke from the smoke-stacks of the Victoria as she stood 
out from Havana, and but for information which the United 
States Consul at that port had managed to convey to the caj)- 
tain of a man-of-war just without the charmed boundary between 
neutral waters and the high seas, the Yictoria would probably 
have passed unobserved. 

" Ten thousand stars were in the sky, 
Ten thousand in the sea," 

as the Federal hailed the long, low craft which glided like a 
shadow over the water. No answer was given to the summons, 
and the boom of a gun was heard. But the shot fell short, for 
the cunning eaptainof the Victoria had discovered the Federal in 
time to get his vessel out of range. "Astern chase is a long chase," 
when the speed of the pursuer is well matched with that of the 
pursued; but if the latter chances to be the swifter, the former 
must soon give up the effort. So it was in this case: the Victo- 
ria easily distanced the man-of-war, and was safe for the present. 
They had to battle with the next enemy that beset them, how- 
ever; forthe "gigantic storm-wind" is a foe that no ship can 



Past the Blockaders. 33 

evade. But we are concerned only with their adventures in con- 
nection with the blockading fleet, and need not follow the 
staunch little vessel, or the passengers through the qualms of 
sea-sickness, and amid the storm ; for, although her machinery 
suifered severely from the strain which it underwent in battling 
against the gale, she was yet able to proceed on her way at a 
sufficiently rapid rate to escape pursuit. The build of the Con- 
federate enabled her officers to descry Federal cruisers before 
she herself was perceived, and she gave to such a wide berth. 
The principle adopted on such occasions was: *' Where you see 
a flag or a ship, avoid it," and, in carrying out such a policy, 
long detours are unavoidable. 

About mid-day of the third day from Havana, the officer upon 
duty suddenly espied, upon his right, the smoke of several 
steamers, their masts rising clear against the blue wintry sky. 
They had unconsciously sailed almost into the jaws of the 
blockading squadron, riding before the passes at the mouth of 
the Mississippi. Instantly the alarm was given; the head of the 
little steamer was turned, and as much steam crowded on as the 
weakened machinery would bear. The engine throbbed like the 
heart of some immense animal, fearful of an enemy yet more 
powerful. 

The officers and men were on the alert; the passengers equal- 
ly so. The gentlemen offered their services, if assistance should 
be required ; the ladies clung together and looked on in terror. 

"Thanks for the offer," replied the captain; but we hope to 
«how them a clean pair of heels. Do not be alarmed, ladies ; we 
<shall escape without danger. < He who fights and runs away,' 
you know, 'may live to fight another day;' and we mean to in- 
crease our chances by running away before we fight." 

Faster and faster sped the Yictoria, and after her in hot pur- 
suit two Federal men-of-war. For a long time the result was. 
doubtful; then, to the anxious eyes on board the little vessel it 
seemed that the outlines of masts were a trifle dimmer; gradu- 
ally they faded, until not a speck blurred the outline between 
sea and sky. 

Great was the jubilation among the passengers as the man on 
the lookout announced that the enemy was no longer visible. 
Had theynotescaped a dozen other Federal war ships in precise- 
ly the same way? But these had been closer than any, and 
therefore the triumph was the greater. 



34 Tast the Blockaders. 

''Not so fast," said the captain, shaking his head dubiously; 
"to use a landsman's phrase, 'Never halloo you're safe until 
you're out of the woods.' Thej^'ve not given up the chase so 
easily, and, besides, there's another misfortune that has befal- 
len us. 

His tone was very grave, his look anxious. 

"What is it?'* they cried in chorus. 

" I have been consulting with the pilot, comparing notes as to 
our deviations from our course. These have put us far out of our 
reckoning, and neither of us knows anything about this part of 
the coast." 

The passengers looked at each other in dismay. 

"What's the matter?" asked Beaujeu, whose attention had 
been momentarily diverted. 

The situation was duly explained to him. He laughed good- 
humoredly. 

" Why, you needn't mind a little thing like that. Captain ; 

I've hunted and fished around this coast ever since I was half 
as big as a mosquito, and I know just where we are. Where's 
your chart. Captain ?" 

The chart was submitted to the volunteer pilot, who, true to 
his promise, pointed out various landmarks which had been fa- 
miliar since his childhood, but which were unknown to the sea- 
men. Thus set right, they directed their course to Barrataria 
Bay, which they entered after a few hours' sail. Thus they were 
nearly at their destination — Fort Livingston — which guarded 
the entrance to the passes leading into the Mississippi River. 
The Federal cruisers seldom approached this stronghold, which 
was only about two days' journey from New Orleans, then in 
the hands of the Confederates; and our blockade runners be- 
gan to congratulate themselves on having been successful. And 
when, that very evening, they succeeded in establishing commu- 
nication with the Fort, they felt themselves indeed secure. 

The commander of Foi*t Livingston despatched a pilot to as- 
sist the officers of the Victoria to run her in under the guns of 
the Fort; but, after repeated trials, lasting almost until day- 
break, it was found that the water was too shoal to admit of their 
approaching nearer than three miles from the Fort, whose guns 
were not of sufficient range to cover them at that distance. Un- 
der advice of the pilot, they therefore anchored at the nearest 
possible point to await the rise of the tide, which, he assured 



Past the Blockaders. 85 

them, would easily carry them in if they would but wait till ten 
o'clock, A. M. 

Comforted by this assurance, and confident of safety, the 
wearied crew and officers were permitted to turn in, the three 
passengers — Messrs. Crosby, Beaujeu and*Cooper — volunteering 
to keep watch, along with the few whom naval discipline requir- 
ed to be on deck. All was tranquil for the remainder of the 
night, and the morning dawned with a glory such as is seldom 
seen at that season of the year. 

Eight o'clock came, and all were once more stirring. From 
the cook's domain came the scent of fragrant coffee, and the ap- 
petizing sizzle of fresh fish, fried as only one of the old-fash- 
ioned colored cooks can fry them. Crosby stood idly drumming 
with one hand, the other grasping a spy-glass. 

"I reckon I'll go below," he said; "but now for one last 
look, to make sure." 

He raised his glass as he spoke, and, as if in bravado, swept 
around the horizon. He started back in astonishment, then 
again raised his glass to his eye. 

"What's the matter, Mr. Crosby?" asked Beaujeu, observing 
his actions. 

"Look at that dark line yonder ; what do you think it is?" 

The officer on duty came up at that moment, and the three 
looked in the direction indicated. 

"It certainly is a column of smoke," said Crosby. 

"And it is moving this way," said Beaujeu. 

"Very rapidly," added the Lieutenant; " I will wake the cap- 
tain." 

A council of war was called at once, to which the three civilians 
were admitted, by right of services willingly rendered in the 
past, and likely to be required in the future. 

" To be captured at the very last moment, after all our escapes, 
is unbearable !" exclaimed one. 

"It would be," rejoined another; but we are not captured 

yet." 

"No, and we will not be," replied the captain, emphatically} 
"sooner than have that powder fall into the enemy's hands I'll 
set a match to it myself." 

" Can't we get under the guns of the Fort before high tide?" 
asked one. 

" The shore pilot says not; we'll have to run her as far in as 



36 Past the Blockaders. 

she'll go, and then beach her if necessaiy. The guns of the Fort 
can't help her much, for the pilot tells me there's really a pow- 
der famine there. Their supplies have been delayed or captured 
on the way, and they have not ammunition enough for a dozen 
rounds from the guns."* 

" Then we must save the powder," put in Beaujeu, energeti- 
cally. 

*'How?" demanded an officer, curtly; and the young man sud- 
denly lost enthusiasm. 

In accordance with the decision of the captain, the vessel was 
put in motion. The incoming tide made it possible for them to 
get within two miles of the Fort; but there she stuck fast. Eap- 
idly the column of black smoke that had at first alarmed them, 
developed into the full outlines of a man-of-war, the United 
States steamer DeVoto. This vessel was a trim-looking craft 
that carried several rifled cannon and other guns, but as she 
drew much more water than the Victoria, she was obliged to lie 
to at a distance of three quarters of a mile. Her movements, as 
may well be believed, were anxiously watched from the deck of 
the Confederate. 

As the Federal was seen to stop, unable to approach them any 
nearer, the Union Jack was run up to the mast-head of the Vic- 
toria; but the ruse was too transparent to deceive the blue-coat- 
ed officers, and the attempt to fool them was answered by a 
shotted gun. 

Their own powers of defense were but small, and nothing was 
to be expected from the Fort, as its guns could not command their 
position. As the shot dashed up the water around them, they 
hastily launched the boats, hoping to secure the safety of the 
ladies on board, and (what was of far more importance in a mil- 
itary point of view) deliver certain dispatches and other impor- 
tant papers into the hands of the commander of the fort. The 
officers of the DeVoto had in some way learned this part of the 
Victoria's errand; and not knowing that there were women 
on board, the Federal guns were directed upon the boats. For- 
tunately, the marksmen of the DeVoto were not expei'ts, and the 
boats and their occupants were unharmed. 

In response to the request of Capt. B of the Victoria, Col. 

S , in command of the Louisiana Volunteer Eegiment that 

manned the fort, sent a detachment of one hundred men with two 
cannon down to the landing place; for had the vessel been left 



38 



Past the BlocVaders. 







Past the Blockaders. 39 

undefended, the greater part of the crew being engaged in the 
boats, there would have been imminent danger from the launches 
of the Federal steamer. As it was, these guns formed a sufficient 
protection, being provided with a considerable proportion of the 
ammunition of the Fort. 

The men of the party, officers, crew and passengers, returned 
immediately to the beach after having paid their respects to Col. 

S and left the ladies in safety. The guns on shore were not 

enough to have done the DeYoto any serious harm, especially 
as she kept very carefully out of range of the fourteen left at the 
Fort J but hour after hour the group on the beach marked first 
the flash, then the report and curling smoke, followed by the 
dash of the water as the ball struck, then ricocheted over their 
heads, so close that they dodged in spite of themselves. The Con- 
federates wasted little or no powder in the effort to answerthese 
compliments, having none of that valuable commodity to spare. 

All day long this one-sided warfare was kept up, until the Fed- 
eral had fired no less than two hundred and eighty-three times at 
the vessel and thetroops near her. Of this multitude of shots, but 
three struck ; two of these were solid shot which inflicted some 
slight injury upon the rigging ; the third was a shell, which was 
afterward found in a bag of coffee, the fuse extinguished. Had 
that shell exploded as it was expected to do, the Victoria would 
have goiie up like a rocket, and come down as splinters. 

Slowly the day passed, a day of great anxiety to all who were 
interested in the fate of the Victoria and her cargo; for the lat- 
ter was worth more than money to the Confederates atthat period; 
and while the force here did not dare to make any effort to land 
the powder until the DeVoto should disappear, there was no say- 
ing when a shell might prove the instrument of destruction. At 
last, as the twilight of the short winter day began to deepen into 
night the DeVoto ceased firing and steamed sullenly away in the 
direction of the blockading fleeto 

ISTow was the opportunity of Capt. B , and his assistants, 

officers, men and passengers, with such help as might volunteer 
from theFort; for they readily divined the Federal's purpose of 
bringing other vessels of lighter draught to capture that which 
she had been unable to approach. There was a number of small 
luggers plying in the bay and through the bayous, and these 
were immediately put into active operation to lighten the pow- 
der ship. So well did they perform their task that by about 



40 Past the Blockaders. 

two hours before daylight, the ship was lightened sufficiently to 
be gotten in safety under the guns of the Fort. 

"When the gray light of morning first made distant objects vis- 
ible, the sentry on the Fort proclaimed a sail in sight. It was 
the DeYoto, accompanied by two others, in one of which the 
Southerners recognized a vessel of their own, captured by 
the Northern navy only a few weeks before. Drawing even 
less water than the Victoria, escape from these, had she been in 
the same exposed situation as on the previous day, would have 
been impossible; and the Confederates enjoyed immensely the 
disappointment of their baffled enemies at this escape of their 
prey. 

During the day the number of the blockaders was increased 
to five. They hovered round like hawks above a dove-cote, anx- 
ious to injure, but fearing to attack, lestthey themselves be driv- 
en off — just out of range of the guns of the Fort; and for two 
days they continued to do this, leading the Southerners to sup- 
pose they meditated an attack. Had they been aware of the ac- 
tual condition of affairs, they could not only have cut out the 
Yictoria, but captured Fort Livingston as well; for valor is 
nothing under such circumstances without shot and shell. 

Happily that danger passed away. No treachery revealed to 
the bluecoats the lack of ammunition — the stronghold of the 
gray-jackets ; and the DeVoto and her companions at last with- 
drew, determined that no other vessel should elude their watch, 
and slip through their fingers as the saucy little "Victoria had 
done. 



;pHAPT£Fi III 
ZOUAVES OS A SCOUT. 

Ready to Move — Spoiling for a Tight — ^Eeconnoitering — Eeturning — Three to One— 
" We'll Back You " — A Surprise — A Skedaddle — A Brisk Engagement — A Rapid 
Eetreat — The Spoils of the Battle — Caring for the Wounded — Another Surprise 
— A Strong Position — A Desperate Defense — A Hand-to-Hand Encounter — 
Terrible Odds — Every Man for Himself — Help Comes Too Late — Marks of the 
Eight. 

COLONEL WALLACE, in command of the Zouaves at Cum- 
berland, in 1861, was accustomed to post his mounted scouts 
at different points along the approaches to that place ; but, hav- 
ing failed, on the 27th of that month, to obtain some very neces- 
sary information of the enemy's movements, he determined to 
employ these men in a body as a reconnoitering party. There 
were but thirteen of the men, but they were the pick of nine 
diflFerent companies, and constant practice for a number of 
months had made them valuable and efficient in their peculiar 
line of duty. Accordingly he sent for one of them, D. B. Hay 
by name. 

"Corporal Hay, do you know where Frankfort is?" 
"Yes, sir; it's on the pike between here and Eomney." 
"Verj^well; you will take the twelve other scouts as your 
command, and go to Frankfort and find out if there are any 
rebels there. Start immediately." 

Hay saluted and turned away to collect his men. The latter 
part of the order was not difficult to obey, for the scouts, accus- 
tomed as they were to be suddenly called on for active service 
on such expeditions as this, were soon ready. Canteens and 
haversacks were hastily filled, and strapping their rifles to their 

backs, the twelve men mounted their horses, much the worse for 

41 



42 Zouaves on a Scout. 

hard service, but the only animals that were available, while 
their officer bestrode the only steed worthy of his master, that 
belonged to the command — a trophy of a skirmish a few days be- 
fore. Notwithstanding the broken-down condition of their 
mount, however, there were no laggards in the little party that 
rode out of Cumberland that June morning; nor did the gen- 
eral opinion of their comrades, that Hay was spoiling for a fight 
and wouldn't come back until he had had one, deter them. To 
men of their bold and dashing courage such a prediction was 
not a check, but a spur. 

Onward they rode, until, as they drew rein on a small emin- 
'^nce, the little village of Frankfort lay in full view. Along the 
one crooked street, the mere widening of the road that led to 
and from the town, were scattered the houses of various grades, 
from the substantial brick mansion of the merchant or lawyer 
or doctor down to the rough and fragile frame cottage of the 
laborer. Along the street, too, standing talking in groups, 
walking slowly along, or lounging before the stores, were many 
Confederate infantrymen; while the number of horses picketed 
near the town showed that there must be a considerable force 
of cavalry there. Not for an instant did the men who, from the 
grove-crowned summit of the hill, looked upon the scene, think 
of the danger to themselves; that was always the last consider- 
ation. There was merely a sigh of regret that, independently 
of the enemy's numbers, they must ride away without attacking; 
for they must return, with the information they had obtained, 
to Col. Wallace. As soon, then, as they had each made a care- 
ful estimate of the enemy's numbers, and, comparing them, found 
them to agree with each other, they turned their horses and 
rode leisurely back to Cumberland. 

For some reason they chose to return by a different road than 
that by which they had reached Frankfort; nor does this choice 
admit of any reasonable explanation; it was by no means the 
"shortest way home," but, on the contrary, rather the " longest 
way round ;" there was no real necessity for them to explore it, 
as they would probably never be sent that way again ; and there 
was no ground for believing it safest. Far from it. They had 
reached a point between three and four miles distant from 
Frankfort, and were descending a steep mountain side, when a 
sharp turn of the road suddenly showed a considerable body 
of Confederate cavalrymen not far from them. Instantly all 



Zouaves on a Scout. 43 

drew rein, as if they were but puppets worked by the same piece 
of mechanism; and though there had been no word of command 
uttered, each proceeded, as the little party halted, to count the 
men before them. 

"How many do you make of them, Hollenback ?" asked Hay. 

" Forty-one," answered the man, whom he had addressed. Hay 
looked around the group questioningly, and each man nodded 
as the leader's eye met his j each had reached the same result. 

"Well?" he asked, briefly. 

"Go in, Dave; we'll back you," was the reponse of one, 
echoed in the same silent way, and emphasized by a grim smile 
on each bronzed face. 

" Are you ready, now ?" he asked. 

"Yes, ready for anything; go on, and we'll follow," was the 
l-eply, as they unslung their rifles. 

"Come on, then, and the devil take the hindmost!" cried 
Hay, as, setting spurs to his horse, he dashed down the decline. 

On rode the Zouaves after their leader, at a speed as nearly 
headlong as the character and condition of their horses would 
permit. Though so far outnumbered, the Federals were not 
without advantages which somewhat counterbalanced the supe- 
rior force of the enemy. The road was but narrow, and, as we 
have said, on sloping ground, the Federals being somewhat 
*,bove the Confederates; an abrupt declivity on their left and a 
laearly precipitous wall ascending on their right would prevent 
«he formation of a line of battle by the Southerners, who would 
mot have room even to wheel their horses and charge up hill at 
the handful of men who proposed to attack them. The situation 
of the Zouaves was one in which the renowned Davy Crockett 
would have gloried, for to "go ahead," was the one course pos- 
sible. Even if they halted, danger more than ordinary awaited 
them, for the impetus acquired in their rapid descent would car- 
ry the Federals into the very midst of the enemy. 

As Hay came thundering down the hill, shouting to his men, 
the Confederates, until then in blissful ignorance of an enemy's 
presence, halted, surprised, to look back. The assailants were 
not more than seventy or eighty yards away, and were rapidly 
approaching. Never once supposing anything but that there 
was a large force about to attack them, and recognizing the dif- 
ficulties of their position, the Eebs put spurs to their horses 
and galloped hastily onward in no very good order. The Zou- 



44 Zouaves on a Scout. 

aves, who had hitherto, save for the brief answers given their 
leader, preserved a grim silence, now vied with each other in 
the wild yells which they littered. Onward, onward, they rode, 
these grim huntsmen of human game, and their cries, echoed 
and re-echoed by the hillsides, grew more and more unearthly. 

Owing solely to the superiority of his mount — for they every 
one rode recklessly — Hay was far in advance of his men. The 
Confederates had not quite reached the foot of the hill when he 
overtook them, firing his rifle when almost in their midst. As 
one of the Confederates reeled in the saddle, he hurled the now 
useless weapon (for he had, of course, no time to reload) at a 
second; the Eeb, stunned by the force of the blow, fell; but 
Hay, without waiting to see the result, drew his revolver and 
plunged into their midst. For a minute or two the bullets flew 
hither and thither; as a gray-jacket was pierced by one from 
Hay's pistol, another struck the Federal ; maddened by the 
thought that the wound might be fatal, he fired again with the 
same deadly aim as before; then another, and another, before a 
second struck him. Two more shots and his revolver was ex- 
hausted. Drawing his sabre-bayonet, he prepared to use that, 
when, with a flash in the sunlight and a whirr of swift motion, 
a sabre, in the hands of a Confederate behind him, descended 
upon his own head. Still, weakened as he was and half-blinded 
by the blood which soon began to flow over his face from this 
cut, he thrust right and left most manfully. 

It was the commanding ofiicer of the Confederates who had 
dealt the sabre cut. Hauling back for a fresh blow, he at the 
very instant that his hand began to descend, received a wound 
in the arm that paralyzed its power. The ball came from the 
rifle of a Zouave, Lewis Farley, who had just reached the scene 
of battle in time to see his ofiicer's danger. Still advancing with 
unchecked speed, he was unhorsed by the encounter; but the 
accident did not render him useless. Grappling with the enemy 
who had been similarly served by his onset, there was for a 
momenta desperate struggle ; at last the Federal was thrown. 
By this time the whole of Hay's little force had come up, and 
before the Confederate could make use of his advantage over 
Farley, another Zouave, Hollowell, had knocked him down. 
Springing to his feet, Farley vaulted into the saddle of a horse 
that Hay's revolver had made riderless, and that far surpassed 
the one from which he had been thrown. 



Zouaves on a Scout, 



45 



So sudden had been the onset, so sharp had been the conflict, 
that the Confederates were still uncertain as to the number at- 
tacking them J while the irregular but headlong advance of the 
Zouaves made it appear as if they had dropped from the clouds. 
How long it might rain fighting devils clad in big breeches and 
small caps, they could not tell; and thinking discretion the bet- 
ter part of valor, they put spurs to their horses and continued 
the flight which Hay's solitary onset had arrested. Madly down 
the hill they rushed, until the track of the Baltimore and Ohio 
Eailroad was reached; then along the road-bed, with something 
like the speed a horseman might use if chased by a locomotive 
in a tunnel, they dashed away. 




A Headlong Pursuit, 
But even at that early day in the history of the war, the im- 
portance of this line of railroad was fully appreciated, and there 
had been an eifortmade to stop travel on it. A culvert had been 
burned by some marauding party, whether Northern or South- 
'ern is uncertain and unimportant; certainly the fact that it had 
been so destroyed was not known to either of the two parties 
whose fortunes we are now following. The Confederates, 
indeed, did not discover the gap in the road until it was too late 
to check their horses j they must take the leap. Spurring their 



46 Zouaves on a Scout. 

animals to yet greater speed, that the added impetus might in- 
crease their chances of safety, they plunged on. Many reached 
the farther side in safety, but eight, wounded, or less excellently 
mounted than their comrades, failed to gain the roadway again; 
and falling heavily into the rugged chasm, were either crushed 
under their horses or killed by the force of the fall. 

Hay, wounded as he was, was the foremost in the pursuit, and 
to him, as to the Confederates, the dangerous leaj) was unavoid- 
able. His spirited horse, however, carried him safely over; but 
the noble animal had received in his body more than one bullet 
meant for his master, and weakened by loss of blood and by the 
severe exertion to which he had been subjected, had borne his 
rider but a short distance from the culvert when a deadly tremor 
passed through every limb, and he fell dead upon the earth. Hay 
had barely time to extricate himself from his stirrups before the 
horse fell. Thus deprived of his only means for pursuing the 
fugitives, and unable, by reason of his wounds, to drag himself 
onward, he sat down upon the ground beside the dead horse, and 
cried like a child over its loss. 

The scouts, seeing the dangers of the leap across the burnt 
culvert in time to check their horses, turned aside from the road 
a little and by a slight detour were enabled to reach theil" 
wounded comrade without incurring the risk. Of course pur- 
suit was now useless ; so they devoted themselves to taking care 
of the spoils. Seventeen good horses, in fair condition, with all 
their equipments, had been the reward they had earned by their 
brave attack ; while eleven of the Confederates lay dead upon 
the ground. Congratulating themselves upon the brilliant vic- 
tory which they had achieved, they set their leader upon one of 
the captured horses, each man selected one in place of his own 
broken-down steed, and they continued their journey to the 
town of Cumberland. 

"Boys," faltered their officer, in a weakvoice, when they were 
but a few miles from the scene of conflict; " Boys, I'm getting 
so weak I don't believe I can go any farther." 

"Can't you hold out to Cumberland? 'Tisn't much farther." 

" It's a long way off for me, for I can hardly manage to sit my 
horse — " 

The words had been spoken firmly, though the voice was low 
and weak ; but the resolution at last gave way before the deathly 
faintness that came over him, and only the quick, strong arm 



Zouaves on a Scout. 41 

of one of his men saved him from falling from the saddle. This 
was unmistakable evidence that they must stop. Dismounting, 
they laid the wounded man upon the grass, where the thick 
foliage kept the sun's rays from proving annoying ; two went to 
find a wagon at some neighboring farm house, another went to 
the river for water, while the others busied themselves in bind- 
ing up his wounds as well as possible with the rude bandages 
they could prepare, and in otherwise attending to his comfort. 
But even while they were engaged in this humane task, a brisk 
fire was opened upon them from the hill to their left. Fortu- 
nately, Hay had recovered his senses under the liberal applica- 
tion of the cold water, and was somewhat strengthened by a 
draught from his canteen. 

" Put me on a horse, boys, and leave me to take care of my- 
self." 

His desire was complied with, and clinging painfully to the 
saddle, lying down upon the neck of his horse — for he was still 
too weak to sit upright — he forded the Potomac in safetyo The 
first thought of the Zouaves, after securing the escape of their 
wounded leader, was for the horses that they had captured in 
such an unequal fight; and the delay occasioned in getting all 
of them together proved dangerous to the soldiers. 

"Let the horses alone, and give the Eebels h — 1 !" thundered 
Farley, as he saw the uselessness of the attempt, and the design 
of the enemy. Evidently, the Confederates, having a much 
superior force, were trying to surround the Federals. The lat- 
ter now numbered but ten, for Baker and Dunlap, who had been 
sent for the wagon, had not yet returned. Of them we shall 
hear later. 

" Tain't any use, boys," said Farley, at last, "we can't stay 
here, or they'll get us sure." 

The crack of his rifle followed this observation. 

"What are we to do?" asked another, as he rammed the ball 
home. 

"It's a pretty slim chance, but if we could get to the big rocks 
yonder, the river 'd be between us and them." 

" How are we to get there?" 

" Make a rush for the island." 

They were on the point of land projecting between the Poto- 
mac on the one side and Patterson's Creek on the other. The 
bowlders were not on high ground, but would answer admirably 



48 Zouaves on a Scout. 

for breastworks. The stones, washed naked by the stream, 
almost wholly covered the surface of Kelley's Island. At a given 
signal, then, they made a break for the stream, and amid a shower 
of bullets from the enemy, who saw the wisdom of the attempt, 
they gained the coveted position. 

"All right, boys? Anybody hurt?" 

"All as sound as new fifty-cent pieces." 

"Not whipped yet, not by a long shot." 

" Be careful of the cartridges ; they'll soon begetting mighty 
scarce." 

Crouching behind the rocks, they waited ; each man with eager, 
gleaming eyes and set teeth, his finger ready to dispatch the 
messenger of death as soon as there was a certainty that it 
would reach an enemy. It surely could not be difficult for their 
force to dislodge such a handful of men, thought the Confeder- 
ates; and, rushing down from the hill like an avalanche, they 
swept across the little plain, and the foremost man was in the 
stream. 

" Whew, boys ! more than seventy; let them have it now." 

Almost with one report, the rifles were discharged; the man 
in the stream threw his arms above his head and fell backwards 
as his feet lost their hold on the bed of the creek ; the water 
grew dark around him as he went down ; here and there, in the 
mass of men upon the land who were about to follow him into 
the water, one would fall ; another would stagger a moment as if 
bending beneath a heavy load ; and then would turn and retreat 
toward the shelter of the grove as rapidly as the nature of his 
wound would permit. Hardly a bullet of the ten failed to take 
effect; and surprised by the excellent marksmanship of the men 
they were about to attack, the Confederates halted irresolutely a 
moment, then turned and fled to the nearest shelter. When 
each was protected by the trunk of a tree, by a bush, the side 
of a ravine, or some such natural object, as the Federals were 
by the rocks, there began that most exciting kind of combat 
known to the soldier — sharpshooting. As one man exposed him- 
self in order to take aim at an enemy, half a dozen pairs of eager 
eyes would mark him, and before his own ball was sped, five or 
six others would come whistling past his ears. 

So the fight went on for more than an hour, and at last the 
river was again reddened ; but not with blood this time; it was 
but the reflection of the clouds about the setting sun. As the 



Zouaves on a Scout. 49 

sky faded, the Confederates received a reinforcement of a small 
party of horsemen. The shower of shots from the island soon 
warned the new-comers that, raised so far above the level of the 
ground, they were in the greatest danger, and they speedily 
dismounted. One of them, who appeared to be an officer of con- 
siderable rank, and who afterward proved to be a brother of the 
famous Col. Turner Ashby, took command; and seemingly in- 
sensible to all danger, walked coolly from point to point arrang- 
ing an attack that should be more successful than the first that 
had been made on the island. 

" Hold your fire, men, until we see what they are going to 
do," commanded Farley, intently watching the movements of the 
enemy. 

But they were not left in doubt many minutes. As it seemed 
to them, looking through the gathering darkness from behind the 
rocks, the Confederates sprang from their coverts at a given 
signal and made a rush for the stream. Onward they came. 

''Now let them have it," cried Farley. 

And at the word there were ten flashes of fire from behind the 
rocks; only one or two reports, for the discharge was almost 
instantaneous; men in the river groaned and sank; men about to 
plunge into the water sprang back and fell, each "with his face 
to the sky and his feet to the foe;" men behind them looked 
around more than doubtfully. Only the leader seemed resolute; 
but, as is often the case, one man's courage was sufficient to re- 
animate many. The Federals, in the confusion, could not dis- 
tinguish what he said ; probably his own men could not; but the 
former felt that they now had a foeman worthy of their steel, 
and the latter followed him, pressing close in his footsteps, right 
up to where the rocky shores of the island rose from the water's 
edge. 

The fight was now hand to hand. Despite their losses, the 
Confederates were still strong — at least six or seven to one. 
Against such terrible odds at such close quarters, it was madness 
to fight; yet the Zouaves fought on with the strength and cour- 
age born of despair. The night darkened over the conflict, and 
in place of the white smoke that had wreathed the muzzles of 
rifles and revolvers, there were flashes of fire ; that was all 
the change that the darkness brought. The noise of the shots, 
the shouts and curses of the combatants, made night hideous. 
Still the Zouaves fought on, feeling that the one thing left to 



50 Zouaves on a Scout. 

them was to sell their lives as dearly as possible; fought in- 
stinctively, as the leopard struggles to free himself from the 
deadly coil of the anaconda. 

Had the light of day shone upon them it would have seen 
strange pictures; pictures terrible to look upon, so full of ani- 
mal ferocity they were. There is something grand in the thought 
of thousands of men laying aside their daily work, going to 
fight, perhaps to die, for the right; but follow those men to the 
battle field, and the moral heroism has vanished; the sacrifice 
has been made, and is over ; they are mere bull-dogs, game-cocks, 
urged on to each other's destruction by the command of another 
animal, called an officer. O, it is a horrible thing to see men 
fighting as these fought there, in the darkness, ujjon the rocky 
island, with the river flowing so peacefully around them ! 

Before long, Farley found himself in direct combat with the 
Confederate officer; the duel had lasted some minutes, now one, 
now the other, gaining a slight advantage, but it seemed about 
to result in the defeat of the Federal, when another of the Zou- 
aves, Hollowell, perceiving his leader's danger, hastily swung 
his rifle at the Eebel's head. The blow was a heavy one, and 
the Confederate, without a groan, fell dead at the feet of his late 
antagonist. 

"D — n it," was Hollowell's brief comment, "it's ruined my 
rifle," and stooping down an instant, he possessed himself of the 
dead man's revolvers. 

A third Zouave, Thomas, had fired twice with deadly aim, and 
was just in the act of reloading when a pistol ball grazed his 
head, knocking him senseless. As he fell to the earth, the Con' 
federate who had fired the shot, fearing it might be ineffectual, 
had drawn his saber, and was about to finish the work so well 
begun, when a comrade of the wounded man fired upon him. 
The blade gleamed in his hand a moment, then fell to the ground 
as his grasp relaxed, and in an instant more his dead body lay 
across the unconscious form of Thomas. Such were some of 
the scenes that might have been seen, could the sun have suddenly 
lighted up the darkness. Knowing that Hollenback had fallen, 
and supposing that Thomas had been killed, the Zouaves began 
each to think of saving himself, if it were possible. One after 
the other, under cover of the darkness, the eight survivors 
plunged into the stream and swam away from the scene of car- 
nage. The enemy, finding what they were endeavoring to do, 



52 



Zoiiavcs on a Scout. 




Zouaves on a Scout. 53 

gave chase; but before long decided that the fugitives were 
too much scattered for them to pursue with advantage. 

They accordingly returned to Kelley's Island, in order to bury 
their dead and care for their wounded. Thomas, whose senses 
had now returned, crawled into a little thicket of bushes and 
vines as he realized the state of affairs. Thence he could see 
the dead bodies carried away, thence he could hear their every 
word. 

"Hallo! here's a Yank ! " 

"Alive or dead?" 

"Alive; come get out o' this." 

"I can't; I'm wounded," murmured Hollenback, faintly. 

" Get out 'o this, I say ; can't you understand English ?" 

The command was uttered so threateningly, and accompanied 
by such a show of force, that the wounded Zouave dragged him- 
self slowly and painfully to his feet, and, still at the point of 
the bayonet, waded the narrow stream. Thomas lay in the 
bushes unseen, unsuspected, until the last Confederate had dis- 
appeared ; then he crept out, and, by wading and swimming, 
succeeded in reaching the opposite bank of the Potomac. 

The two men who had been sent for the wagon had heard the 
earliest shots of the second fight, and knowing that since there 
were so many fired, there must be a considerable force opposed 
to their comrades, galloped off to the camp for reinforcements. 
Fifty men were immediately detailed to go to the rescue ; but 
such was the enthusiasm excited by the report of the two mes- 
sengers, that the force was swelled to four times that number 
before it had left the town. Fast as they could go, the progress 
of the fight had been so rapid that, when they arrived at the 
field of battle, there was no one there. Stains of blood upon the 
smooth white rocks, guns lying where they had fallen from the 
dying hands, broken pistols that had been thrown angrily away 
— these were the traces that remained of the desperate fight. 
Returning to camp, they told the story of what they had seen. 
It was then late at night; early the next day, a larger force, 
consisting of two companies, were sent to search for the living 
and to bury the dead. But this detachment met with but little 
more success than the former. The body of Hollenback, which 
the Confederates had left behind them in their flight, and eight 
of the horses the party had captured, were all "that they brought 
back to camp with them. But perhaps the best part of their 



54 Zouaves on a Scout. 

success was the information they obtained that the Confederates 
had carried off twenty-three bodies of their comrades, besides 
those who were shot while in the water, and drowned. 

One after another, all through the afternoon of the 28th, the 
scouts came into camp, heartily welcomed by citizens and 
soldiers, until all had reported. Singularly enough, only Hay 
and Thomas were wounded; the latter very slightly. Of the 
others, one had had his cap shot from his head, and had replaced 
it by the broad-brimmed so'ft felt of an enemy ; another had 
three bullet-holes through his shirt; Farleys' sabre had been 
shivered to the hilt, and that and the scabbard were all that re- 
mained ; Hollowell held on to his broken rifle, while he proud- 
ly delivered the captured pistols to Col. "Wallace. 

"Keep them for your own use, Hollowell," said the officer; 
"you have won them nobly, defending your comrade in his dan- 
ger. I know that you will use them well in the defense of our 
country." 

But the enthusiasm of soldiers and townspeople gave way to 
sorrow when the body of the one man killed was brought back 
to town; with measured, solemn step, and muffled roll of drums, 
they bore his body to the town cemetery; 

" Slowly and sadly they laid him down, 

From the field of his fame, fresh and gorj-! 

They carved not a line, they raised not a stone, 
But they left him alone in his glory." 



•pH/KPTEn lY- 



THE ENEMY'S SECRETS. 

Lieut. Pelouze and His Friend — Interview with the President — On to Richmond 
— In the Confederate War Department — The Token — A Vengeful "Woman — 
Trapped — The Spy's Escape — Leave of Absence — Ribbons and Pliotographs 
— "We Did It I" — Green Fields and Pastures New — A Friendly Enemy — 
Gen. Grant's Opinion — A Scouting Adventure. 

"^ lETJTENANT Pelouze? Yes, sir, I think he's here 
I J now." 

The speaker disappeared in one of the offices of the War De- 
partment. The tall, spare-hnilt j'oung man, to whom he had 
spoken, looked curiously about him, as if in the habit of making 
minute mental notes of any place in which he might chance to 
be. His survey was soon completed, for his glance was rapid 
and comprehensive, as befits one who must be observant; and 
he was thoroughly familiar with the apartment by the time that 
young officer (in later times holding the rank of general) an- 
swered the summons of his friend. 

The customary greetings had been exchanged, and the strang- 
er dived at once into the business which had brought him to 
Washington. 

"I came to see, Pelouze, if you could introduce me to the Sec- 
retary'/" 

" Why, he left for his home in Ilarrisburg yesterday, and ex- 
pects to be gone a week, at least," was the reply. 

The stranger looked chagrined. 

"But I can, perhaps, obtain an interview'with the President," 
-continued Pelouze. 

The stranger's face grew brighter, and he answered heartily: 

55 



56 



The Enemy's Secrets. 



" That is what I Avould like best of all things. When can it be 
accomplished?" 

" At once, I think ; for your services are such as to command 
attention just now. ' Every dog has his day,' you know, and it 
is so with men. This is j^ours." 

Toward the "White House, then, they bent their steps, and true 
to Pelouze's prophecy, were admitted, almost immediately, to 
the presence of the Chief Magistrate. 

" I have heard of you, 
Mr. Lee," said the Presi- 
dent," though I have never 
before had the pleasure of 
meeting yoii ; and the re- 
ports have all been good 
ones. Now, as my time is 
limited, let me hear briefly 
what you have to say." 

The young man bowed, his 
face flushing with pleasure 
at the praise; for even in 
the Spring of 1861 men were 
beginning to learn the value 
of Abraham Lincoln's good 
opinion. 

'' I have just arrived from 
Richmond, sir, with infor- 
mation which I hope may be 

of use. The force of the Reb- 
The Spy's Interview with Uncle Abe. ■, . n i , 

^ ^ i'-' els IS as well known to me 

as to any other subordinate in their War Department." 

'■'How many men have they?" 

"Twenty thousand, all fit for service, fully armed and equip- 
ped. Troops are being concentrated as rapidly as possible near 
Culpeper Court House. 

Much more was said, of the same general tenor; and the em- 
iploye of the Confederate War Department concluded by off'ering 
his future services to the United States Government as scout or 
spy; for the present information had been the results of a labor 
of love. 

"Go back to Richmond then, Mr. Lee," said the President; 
" and if we want you we will let you know." 




The Enemy's Secrets. 57 

The two young men retired, and took their way to an apart- 
ment where they could talk the matter over with the desired pri- 
vacy. Many were the plans which each proposed for sending in- 
formation back and forth through the lines, but the other in- 
stantly pointed out a fatal defect in each. Pelouze threw him- 
self back in his chair. 

" I am sure I have racked my brains well, but not another plan 
can I imagine." 

" ISTor can I," returned Lee ; " the trouble is, that we cannot 
foretell the circumstances under which we may have to get our 
information through, so we will just have to depend upon the in- 
spiration of the moment. Of course, it will be comparatively easy 
for you to communicate with me." 

''Yes, but there must be some token or password, by which 
you will be sure you are not being led into a trap." 

The officer reflected a moment; then, drawing a sheet of paper 
toward him and tearing off a narrow strip, he filled the pen with 
which he bad been idly playing, and wrote his name — Louis H. 
Pelouze — on the slip. Folding it lengthwise, he tore it in two 
and handed the lower half to Lee. 

"There," he said, "if a man comes to you in any garb whatev- 
er, if he can produce this upper half of my signature, you will 
know that I regard him as trustworth3^" 

There was nothing more to be said or done, and the volunteer 
spy returned to Eichmond, and worked sedately enough at his 
desk. His trip to Washington, it need hardly be said, had beem 
made under cover of a visit elsewhere, and so well did he guard 
his secret that he was no more suspected than his great name- 
sake himself. 

Six months passed, and Lee had not yet been provided with a 
trustworthy bearer for his secret dispatches. Still he bided his 
time patiently, knowing that he had not been forgotten. 

One evening, about the middle of November, he was chatting 
with a number of others in a cigar store which was a favorite 
lounging place for employes of the War Department. A strang- 
er entered, whom we may as well introduce at once as Timothy 
Webster. The newcomer was drawn into the conversation, ap- 
parently by chance; and as frequently happens in such cases, 
interlocutors in the dialogue were often changed. It was not 
long, then, before Webster and Lee were talking to each other 
on the current topics of the day. 



58 The Enemy's Secrets. 

" Have you any acquaintances in "Washington, Mr. Lee?" ask- 
ed Webster, when the subject had gradually changed to the Na- 
tional Capital. 

" Very few indeed," replied Lee, carelessly, but with a quick 
glance at the questioner ; " I was never there but once, and form- 
ed no new acquaintances." 

" The population is constantly changing, of course, and is re- 
cruited from all parts of the country," returned Webster, light- 
ing a fresh cigar ; then, after a few whiffs, he asked, as if the 
name had just happened to occur to him : " did you ever know 
a man named Pelouze? He is there now." 

" Pelouze ? Yes, I knew him, but only slightly." 

The group of loungers had broken up into smaller knots, and 
Webster was therefore unobserved by the others as betook from 
his pocket-book a slip of paper, and handed it to Lee. It was 
the upper half of Pelouze's signature. As soon as they could do 
so without attracting attention, Lee and his messenger left the 
store, and, in the course of a stroll about the city, laid their plans. 

The spy felt much elated at the prospect before him. He was 
now a clerk in the office of Gen. John. H. Winder, the Provost 
Marshal of Eichmond. It was a part of his business to know the 
number and destination of all the troops in the Confederate 
Army ; not a recruit was enlisted, but that the information had 
to come to this office. Easy enough it was, then, to get the in- 
formation, and here was the long-wished-for, trustworthy mess- 
enger to carry it to the Federal headquarters. Even when Web- 
ster was laid up with the rheumatism the case was not so bad. 
Lee felt that he had not been forgotten, that his perilous position 
in the enemy's very capital was to be the means of helping his 
country at last; that the value of his services was recognized by 
those to whom they were rendered. Nor did he deceive himself. 
His information was really invaluable, and Webster's involuntary 
defection was immediately remedied by the appointment of two 
detectives, Messrs. Lewis and Scully, to this honorably danger- 
ous post. 

We must now go back a little in the history of these two men. 

While in Washington, a portion of their duty had consisted in 
searching the dwellings and baggage of those persons who were 
suspected of disloyalty. "Drest in a little brief authority," thej- 
had not always been considerate of the proprieties and courte- 
sies of life; perhaps there was small room for them in such cases. 



The Enemy's Secrets. 59 

Mrs. had been ordered South, being well known for her 

political preference for that portion of the country, and as usual 
in such circumstances, Lewis and Scully were sent to search her 
baggage and escort her out of the District of Columbia. Perhaps, 
in her hot secessionism, she had provoked them beyond endur- 
ance ; such cases were not unusual; perhaps they were, as fre- 
quently happened, possessed of an undue sense of their own im- 
portance. At any rate, they treated her more roughly than she 
deemed the necessities of the case required. This behavior she 
of course resented. 

" I'll not forget you I" she cried, angrily. 

Then the two detectives had both smiled in the peculiarly ex- 
asperating fashion of entire indifference. It mattered not to 
them, they retorted, in manner if not in words, whether she re- 
membered them or not ; and the knowledge that they felt so, and 
had reason on their side, only galled her the more. 

Mrs. reached the Confederate capital in safety; and 

amid friends in political sentiment, remembered the two insolent 
detectives only as unpleasant creatures with whom she had come 
in contact at the period of her semi-martyrdom. She took rooms 
at the Spottswood Hotel. Sitting at her window there one day, 
what was her surprise to see Lewis and Scully walking along 
one of the most prominent streets of Eichmond. The whirligig 
of Time had in truth brought her an unexpected opportunity for 
revenge. She at once gave information to the military author- 
ities that two Yankee spies were in the city. The detectives 
were tracked, discovered, arrested and brought to trial, after the 

summary fashion of soldiers who deal with spies. Mrs. 

swore positively to their employment by the United States gov- 
ernment; they were unable to prove that they had any legit- 
imate business in Eichmond, and were accordingly found guilty 
and sentenced to death. 

Webster had fallen under suspicion, as being closely affiliated 
with the condemned men, and Lee was under a similar cloud. 
Both were accordingly arrested immediately after Lewis and 
Scully had been taken into custody and before their trial. 
There was, of course, no such positive evidence against them as 
there was in the other case, but the Grovernment determined to 
find out the truth regarding them. 

Scully was a communicant of the Eoman Catholic Church, 
and requested that the last rites of religion might be administer- 



60 



Tlie Enemy's Secrets. 



ed to him. The request wus so far granted, he was told, as to 
allow him the privilege of confession. It is well known that any 
revelation made in the confessional is considered by all author- 
ities sacred ; a violation of such confidence means the total ex- 
communication of the offending priest; and the Confederate 
War Department either could not or would not bribe one of 
these servants of the Church to .betray his trust. A bogus priest, 
however, would not be bound by any such vow as held those 

sworn to the altar. A de- 



tective was accordingly 
dressed in suitable appar- 
el, duly instructed in the 
forms to be observed, and 
sent to the cell of the 
doomed man. 

Scull}^, assured that his 
fate was sealed, and believ- 
ingthat his confidence was 
worthily placed, made a 
full confession, im.plicat- 
ing Timothy Webster and 
William S. Lee, as well as 
Lewis and himself. The 
pseudo-priest was jubil- 
ant as he left the prison. 
Four spies were not often 
discovered at once ; and 
he had suflScient evidence, 
as military tribunals go, 
to insure a quadruple 
hanging. Lee and Web- 
ster were immediately 
brought to trial ; the lat- 
but, luckily for our hero, 




The Bogus Priest. 

ter was convicted and sentenced ; 

Scully had blundered in regard to his middle initial, which 

was notS. but J. This rendered it impossible to fix the offense 

upon him, as there were several other subordinates named Lee 

in the War Department. Thus he escaped by the skin of his 

teeth. 

Lewis and Scully were equally fortunate, although in a differ- 
ent way. They were both of English birth, and had entered a 



The Enemy's Secrets. 61 

claim to the protection of the English Government. Even in 
their own minds the success of this application was extremely 
problematical, as " British bluster" was notoriously a support- 
er of ''Rebel brag." In their doubts, however, they were mis- 
taken ; the English representative informed President Davis 
that the Confederate G-overnmentwould be held responsible for 
the lives of two British subjects if the sentence against Lewis 
and Scully were carried out. England, though professedl}'- a 
neutral, was too powerful a friend to lose, and the two detectives 

were released, and escorted, as Mrs. had been^ beyond the 

lines. 

Webster alone found no help in the interference or ignorance 
of others, and he alone suffered the fate which, by the rules of 
war, all had equally deserved. Lee was released and restored 
to his desk in Gen. Winder's office, but suspicion was by no 
means quieted, and he was subjected to such a close surveillance 
that he found it impossible to send any information to the Fed- 
eral authorities. There was no difficulty whatever in ascertain-' 
ing all about the strength, condition and movements of the 
whole Confederate army, or any part of it, but how to make use 
of this knowledge was a problem which appeared well nigh in- 
soluble. 

Turning this question over in his mind, he bethought himself 
of two men whom he had known for some time, and who were 
loyal at the outbreak of the war. But how could he assure 
them of his own devotion without too great a risk? It was not 
only his own life that was at stake — it was the life of a man sit- 
uated so that he could render peculiarly good service to his 
country. He had obtained the confidence of many Confederates^ 
his arrest had not materially changed their opinion of him, since 
the charge had not been fixed; that was the era of suspicion, 
and no man was above it. Although he had been closely watch- 
ed for a while, vigilance was already relaxing, since there wa? 
nothing observed in his conduct but a most exemplary devo- 
tion to dut3^ 

He could not go directly to these acquaintances, for the;J 
might fail to recognize him, and this in some way lead to hi' 
betrayal. The return of confidence made it possible for him H 
obtain a short leave of absence, "for a visit to Orange Count"* " 
The destination thus announced was so far within the Confed- 
erate lines that no objection could be raised to his going. But, 



62 The Enemy's Secrets. 

once on the way northward, he did not stop at Orange County. 
Making his way through the lines, he went to Philadelphia and 
had a dozen photographs taken. Thence he went to Washing- 
ton, and after many strolls among millinery establishments and 
dry-goods houses, succeeded in finding what he wanted — a piece 
of ribbon of an unusual color! Nor are we recounting trivial- 
ities when we chronicle these proceedings so minutely. 

It was not safe in those days to trust much to the safety of 
the mails. Letters were liable to be lost or destroyed; and to 
guard against this danger, our spy wrote a dozen letters, inclos- 
ing in each one a carte de visite and apiece of the ribbon. Six of 
these were addressed to Samuel Euth, six to an old man, named 
Silva, who lived just outside of the Confederate lines. These 
were the two men whom he believed loyal, to whom he must 
trust so much. 

The letters were mailed at different times, so as to insure the 
receipt of at least one of the half dozen. Having attended to 
this business, Lee, whose leave of absence had nearly expired, 
returned to Eichmond and the Confederate War Department. 

The next thing to be done was to find these men. Euth, as 
he readily ascertained, was employed by the Confederate Gov- 
ernment to transport pontoons from a point back of Eichmond 
to Winchester, whence they could readily be removed to Har- 
per's Ferry, when Jackson's men, having reached that place, 
would require them. It was not long after Lee's return that he 
met Euth face to face on the street. 

"Good evening," said the contractor, lifting his hat with one 
hand, while the other, with one dexterous gesture, showed an end 
of the odd-colored ribbon protruding from his button-hole. 

Lee returned the salutation, and in turn displayed his rib- 
bon. Euth extended his hand. 

" I hardly knew you at first, it's been so long since I saw j'ou, 
and pictures are not alwaj's reliable." 

"But now?" queried Lee. 

" Oh, that's all right," returned Euth, nodding, and looking 
at the bit of ribbon; "and mighty glad I am that you provided 
so well for all emergencies." 

"Are you ready ?" asked Lee, glancing cautiously about him, 
to see that no one was near who would be likely to carry the 
tale. 

A hulking negro lounged against the wall near bj^, and a trim 



The Enemy's Secrets. 63 

housemaid of his own color had paused a moment to coquet with 
him. An occasional pedestrian hurried by, but that was all — 
just enough to remove all semblance of privacy from their talk. 

" From this moment forward," replied Ruth, fervently. 

''And Silva?" 

" True as steel. But we must have some more private place 
than this, in which to talk these things over, must we not." 

A rendezvous was accordingly appointed, and the work began. 

The business upon which Euth was engaged afforded him pe- 
culiar facilities for anything of this kind, as it was necessary for 
him to go back and forth between Eichmond and Winchester 
very often, and a little extension of the northward journey was 
never noticed. Lee's duty was to obtain the information and write 
it out in the cypher agreed upon ; Eiith carried these dispatches 
across the lines to Silva's house, where some reliable messenger 
was in waiting to take them on to the Federal headquarters. 

Euth's duties in transporting the pontoons were soon at an 
end, and probably in recognition of his distinguished services in 
this connection, he was made general superintendent of the Eich- 
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Eailroad. He immediately 
appointed Lee his assistant, and they were thus enabled to trans- 
mit intelligence more rapidly and surely than ever. 

At first sight, it would seem that this was a mistaken move on 
Euth's part, as depriving them of all the accurate information 
which Lee had hitherto been able to obtain by virtue of his posi- 
tion in the War Department. But the superintendent of this 
railway had to keep a correct account of all the troops carried 
to and from Eichmond. "We did it, too," observed Mr. Lee, 
naively but emphatically, in his own history of this part of his 
life, published more than twenty years later. 

The work was not enough for two willing pairs of hands, 
however, and when Lee had an opportunity of securing a differ- 
ent position, he resigned from the railway office. 

He had made application for the post of sutler at Gen. Lee's 
headquarters. He was successful, and the new position gave 
him great advantages. The officers paid many visits to his tent, 
and paid well for what they consumed in the way of brandy and 
tobacco. True, many of them merely bade him " charge it," 
and never allowed him to see the color of their money; others, 
more honestly inclined, paid for what they got; but the payment 
was of course in Confederate money, which was even then of but 



64 Tlie Enemy's Secrets. 

small worth. The true value of their patronage was the informa- 
tion which they gave him regarding the movements and disposi- 
tion of various bodies of men. From them he learned better than 
any mere subordinate in the War Department could, the plans 
of the commander-in-chief and his lieutenants, so far as these 
intentions were known to the regimental officers. 

But Lee was not allowed to remain long in this position. For 
some reason, which, however, was not due to any suspicion of 
his singleness of heart, he was transferred fiom Gen. Lee's 
headquarters to the Forty-fourth Georgia. Of course, a sutler 
must buy stores, and supplies of whisky and cheese could only 
be obtained at railway stations, such as Orange Court House. 
When, therefore, the sutler of the Forty-fourth Georgia went to 
such places, no one thought anything of it, for no one knew of 
the communications which he passed through the hands of ''old 
man Silva" to the Federal headquarters. And when he was so 
circumstanced that he could not go in person, a trusty negro 
carried a note to the same reliable friend, requesting him to or- 
der certain goods, and making apparently simple statements 
that covered deepest meaning. 

But " the mills of the gods grind slowly," yet the}- grind ex- 
ceeding small. For more than two years he had been weaving 
a net about himself, in which he hoped to ensnare his country's 
foes. Strange it would have been if, at some time, his foot had 
not caught in some one of the many meshes, and caused a fatal 
fall. Suspicion had pointed to him when Webster met his fate, 
but the impossibility of fixing the accusation, and his own ex- 
emplary conduct, had effectually averted the consequences, un- 
til, in the hurry of events, some new excitement filled the minds 
of men, some new individual was pointed at by the finger of 
distrust. It was hinted to some government detective that the 
sutler of the Forty-fourth Georgia made too many trips after 
supplies, and often extended his journey beyond the lines. The 
clue was followed up, and Lee was closely watched. So skill- 
fully was it done that he, to whom acuteness was as a second 
nature, and whose veiy life was staked upon his wariness, did 
not know that it was so. The first intimation of it came upon 
him like a thunderbolt. 

"Lee," said a detective to him one day, "you have always 
been a good friend of mine, and I like you too well to see you 
come to harm. Take the advice of a friend, then, and get away." 



The Enemy's Secrets. 65 

" What in the devil do you mean ?" demanded Lee, apparently 
very much surprised. 

*' Oh, come, that won't go down with me," returned the detec- 
tive, "though you are a good actor. Never saw it better done 
in my life, but it don't work all the same. The order for your 
arrest — you know the accusation — is in my pocket now, but I'll 
give you a chance for your life, just "for auld acquaintance 
sake." 

" Do you think I'm going to be scared off by any such stuff?" 
demanded the spy, with an indignant snort j let me tell you, sir, 
that if this is one of your jokes that you are trying to play off on 
me, it is a very poor one." 

He turned away in high dudgeon ; the detective looked after 
him and sighed ; he would have given the spy one chance, but 
here was the offer thrown in his teeth ; he must do his duty as 
an officer of the Confederate Government. Still he hesitated; 
he would, at any rate, wait until the next morning. 

But Lee's apparent indignation had been only assumed to cov- 
er his dismay. He had not expected so speedy a termination of 
his career in the Confederacy, for the two years' service now 
seemed short enough. That very night he paid a visit to his 
friend Ruth. 

" Why, Lee," asked that gentleman, much surprised at his un- 
expected appearance, " what brings you here ?" 

"I have come to say good-bye," mournfully replied Lee; "you 
will not see me again." 

" Have you been imprudent in any way ?" asked Euth, anx- 
iously. 

"No; I don't know how it got out, unless some Rebel spy 
saw me within our lines — but I've no time to talk ; I must be out 
of their reach by daylight." 

" Are you well mounted?" 

"Excellently; and I have considerable money — all my prof- 
its ; so I retreat honorably." 

And away through the darkness he rode, unquestioned and 
unchallenged by friend or foe; reaching the Federal lines, in safe- 
ty, and reporting in due form at the headquarters of Gen. Sharp. 

"Through the assistance of Samuel Ruth and William J. Lee," 
said Gen. Grant, " the Rebellion was overthrown a year sooner 
than it would have been." 

Immediately upon reporting to the Federal general above- 



66 Tlie Enemy's Secrets. 

named, Mr. Lee was assigned to scouting duty. One of his ad- 
ventures is worthy of record, though not strictly apart of the 
story of his work as a spy for the Union. His companion or 
partner was Judson Knight; each knew the other well; and 
each would have trusted the other with his life, his fortunes and 
his sacred honor. 

It was the 20th of November, 1863, and the Federal force, un- 
der the command of (ren. Meade, was encamped at Mine Eun. 
How large a body of the enemy was near them, and in what di- 
rection it was to be feared, were questions yet to be determined. 
In obedience to the higher authorities, a number of scouts were 
sent out, in small squads and in pairs. Among the latter, who 
were of course expected to penetrate deeper into the unknown 
than the larger parties, were Lee and his friend Knight. In or- 
der to accomplish their purpose the better, they had donned 
Confederate uniforms. This, of course, would materially in- 
crease their danger in case of capture. 

It was late in the afternoon when they rode away from camp, 
and for several miles no adventure befel them. They had de- 
cided to make Orange Court House their goal, as the Confeder- 
ate outposts were believed to be just beyond that point. By 
skillful management, aided by their gray uniforms, they hoped 
to getin the town such points as would enable them to judge of 
the enemy's force and exact location. But when they were 
three miles away, or some half-dozen miles from their starting- 
point. Knight turned to Lee : 

" What is that on that hill yonder V 

"I've justbeen looking at it," returned the other; "and it looks 
to me mightily like a battery." 

" There's more than a battery there," said Knight, shaking his 
head doubtfully ; " it looks more like a brigade." 

"I don't believe there's a brigade of Eebs within ten miles," 
answered Lee, testily, " but let's ride nearer." 

Acting on this suggestion, they approached the point where 
the doubtful body of men was located. They were challenged 
by a picket. Lee recognized the voice as belonging to an old 
IRichmond acquaintance. 

"Why, Burton, don't you know me?" he asked, with great 
heartiness of manner. 

Burton looked hard at him through the gathering dusk of the 
November afternoon. 



The Enemy's Secrets. 67 

"D — d if I do, unless its Lee," replied the picket; who, it is 
hardly necessary to say, was not aware of the Fourth Georgia's 
loss of a sutler. 

"Lee it is," returned the scout; "this is my friend, Mr. Knight, 
Mr. Burton, one of the honorable class of high privates." 

"Same as myself," answered Burton, with a short laugh; 
" happy to meet you, Mr. Knight." 

The Federal muttered something which might have meant an 
acknowledgment of the introduction, and accepted the Confed- 
erate's proffered hand. 

"Many of the boys about here. Burton?" inquired Lee, in an 
off-hand manner. 

" Well, the regular picket guard ; the relief will be here in a 
few minutes. Hi, Jim ! did you know Lee was here?" 

Thus summoned, the comrades of Burton gathered about the 
two Federals. 

" Fourth Georgia, I s'pose, Mr. Knight?" asked Burton, by 
way of doing the polite; "didn't know you were in the neigh- 
borhood." 

"Yes, we've been here — that is, hanging around Meade — for 
some little time; we've heard of your being here, and Lee in- 
sisted on riding over to see some of his old friends." 

" Did, eh ? Well, I'm mighty glad to hear he remembered us 
so kindly. Sort o' makes a man feel good, these wartimes. Say, 
Lee, if you're so anxious to renew old acquaintances, there's 
plenty more on the road." 

"Are there?" asked Lee, with genial interest; "and where 
may they be now?" 

"Well, I reckon they're pretty near all of them at Orange 
Court House by this time. Just about, I should say, for there 
comes the relief." 

"But not all of my acquaintances, 1 suppose?" asked Lee; 
" another regiment?" 

While Burton and Knight had been talking, he had ascertain- 
ed that this was the outpost of a regiment of artillery, and sup- 
posed that some infantry was coming to support it in case of an 
attack. 

"Anothei* regiment! h — ! It's old Pap Longstreet's whole 
corps." 

" You are joking." 

"No, I'm not; it's so — ain't it. Brown?" turning to a com- 



68 



T7ie Eneniij's Secrets. 



rade; "they've been getting in all the afternoon, and they're 
just about settling themselves to salt mule and chicory now. 
Have a chaw?" 

A glance of quick intelligence passed between the two scouts, 
then, with the rapidity of thought, each had sprung upon the 
back of the horse nearest to him, and spurred away. The as- 




" Spies! Sjncs ! Yankee Spies f 

tonished Ecbs grasped the situation in a moment. 

"Spies! spies! Yankee spies!" they yelled, and fired hastily 
after the fast flying figures. "And then and there was hurrying 
to and fro," as the alarm was given and the chase began. 

The fugitives bent their heads down to their horses' necks, 
and gave the fleet animals the rein. The bullets whistled about 
their ears, but still they rode on unharmed; the leaden mes- 
sengers of death tore up the earth under their horses' very feet; 
but fainter and fainter grew the yells behind them. Onward, 
still onward; and now they are out of range; now they ap- 
proach the Federal lines, and at last are safe within them, as- 
tonishing Gen. Meade with the news of so large a force scarcely 
nine miles away. 



j^HAPTEF^ Y- 
CAUGHT A TARTAR. 

A Keconnoissance — A Hard Eoad to Travel — Surprised — Surrender of Arms — ^His 
Captors Get His Ammunition, and He Gets His Liberty. 

ONE day, early in September, 1861, Capt. W. B. Strong, 
of the Second Wisconsin Volunteers, was ordered to pro- 
ceed to the woods near Camp Advance, at which the Second 
was then stationed, to see if the outer line of pickets ought to be 
extended. Proceeding along this line until the last post was 
reached, he found that he was some four hundred yards from the 
river. To the right, between the pickets and the stream, was a 
dense thicket of pine undergrowth. In Capt. Strong's judg- 
ment, this portion of the ground should be occupied, as the thick 
brush offered such facilities for the advance of small parties of 
the enemy upon the outer post. He accordingly so reported to 
the superior officer who ordered him to make the inspection; 
and was'directed to make a minute examination of the grounds, 
reporting again at 3 P. M^ 

A short time after noon, then, he departed upon this second 
errand, and " thereby hangs a tale." Passing the outpost, he 
pushed on through the thicket, and found that distance had in- 
deed lent enchantment to the view. He had thought that the 
brush would shelter the enemy in any flank movement that 
might be attempted ; but he found that the ground was so rough 
and the woods so dense that no force could penetrate it. Having 
made his way to the river, the officer concluded that his work 
had been thoroughly done, and that he might return by some 
pleasanter road than that by which he had advanced. He ac- 
cordingly turned back on a line about one hundred rods in ad- 
69 



70 Caught n, Tartar. 

vance of the outer line of pickets, intending to turn towards 
camp as soon as he got fairly into the open country. 

All along this route there was underbrush of greater or less 
density, but none so difficult to penetrate as that thicket through 
which he had just made his way. Thinking nothing of any 
danger, he pursued the path calmly but rapidly, in order to get 
back to camp and report at the time designated. He was hasten- 
ing along when he came to a somewhat denser thicket than any 
which he had yet passed since leaving the river. Suspecting 
nothing of danger within such a short distance of the Federal 
lines, he plunged into the shady recesses. Suddenly, from be- 
hind every bush there appeared to spring a man ; and in an in- 
stant there were six Confederates surrounding him and demand- 
ing his surrender. 

"G-entlemen, you have me," replied the Federal, somewhat 
ruefully, as he saw that there was no possibility of escape. 

"Who are you?" asked one of them, whom the others, later 
on, addressed as "Sergeant," and who appeared to be in com- 
mand of the squad. 

" Your prisoner," he answered, evasively ; at which there was 
a general laugh at the " cute Yankee." 

" Where were you going ?" 

"Back to camp." 

"Where had you been ?" 

" Gentlemen, I must decline to answer any such questions,'* 
he answered. 

This produced considerable dissatisfaction among his captors, 
and they began to discuss, in no very pleasant mood, how they 
should dispose of him. 

" Oh, left's hang the d d Yankee scoundrel," suggested one, 

pointing to a limb overhead, such as Judge Lynch has often 
wished for. 

" Let's take him to camp and hang him there," proposed au' 
other. 

" Well take him to camp," decided the sergeant, without inti' 
mating what was to follow when once they had arrived there. 

The procession was, to the prisoner, an imposing one. He 
himself was the central figure. Two of the Confederates were 
cavalrymen, and these rode, one on each side of him. Before 
him were two infantrymen, while the remaining two brought 
up the rear. There seemed absolutely no possibility of escape 



Caught a Tartar. 71 

by any way that could be thought of, and Strong felt hopeless. 

"Whether they did not wish to linger so long almost in the 
very face of the Federal pickets, or whether, in that early stage 
of the War, the capture of an enemy was so novel an experience 
that they did not <' know the ropes," we cannot undertake to 
say; but certainly the little column had marched some twenty 
rods before it occurred to the sergeant that a point of some im- 
portance had been neglected. 

"See here, stranger," he said, turning to the prisoner, "I 
reckon I'll trouble you for your sword and pistols." 

" Certainly, sir," replied the captive, stopping short in the 
road to get the weapons, in order to give them up. 

The sergeant had omitted to order a halt, and as a natural 
consequence, his men marched on. As Capt. Strong brought 
his pistol pouches around to the front of his body, and his hands 
touched the stocks, the idea suggested itself that here was a 
chance to escape. The soldiers had passed on and were about 
fifty feet away; they were in a comparatively open portion of 
the woods, but about sixty yards to the rear was a small thicket ; 
the prisoner was fleet of foot, and a good shot. All these points 
were thought of as he changed the position of the pouches; he 
touched the stocks; he drew out the pistols at full cock, and 
aiming, first at the sergeant, then at the two infantrymen who 
were nearest to him, fired. Hardly had the bullets sped from 
the barrels when he was off to cover, like a deer before the 
hounds. 

He had moved so readily to give up his weapons that the Con- 
federates had not the slightest idea of his intention, when the 
shots rang out, both at once, upon the still air. For a moment 
they were paralyzed by surprise; then, as they realized thesitu- 
uation, gave chase. But that moment's inaction had enabled 
the fleet-footed Federal to get a good start. He had nearly 
reached cover before a shot was fired. But the bullets, when 
they did come, were not ill-aimed. One passed through his 
cheek, coming out at his mouth; a second perforated his can- 
teen; and the others whistled unpleasantly close to his ears. 

In the meantime the Confederates had hastily arranged a plan of 
pursuit. The sergeant was not hit, but two of their number had 
fallen by the fire of the prisoner; there were then two horsemen 
and two unmounted men remaining. The latter gave direct 
chase, trusting that their own speed would prove greater than 



72 



Caught a Tartar. 



that of the Federal j the troopers made a circuit, one to each 
side, so as to head him off and drive him back upon the two in- 
fantrymen. 

As Capt. Strong, glancing back over his shoulder, saw the ar- 
rangements that were being made for the pursuit, he fired three 
or four shots at the pursuing infantrymen; but he dared not 
pause to take. careful aim, and the shots had no effect. He ran 
on^ still at the top of his speed, until a small knoll was passed, 
and he was thus shut off from the pursuers ; he was almost within 




-^ .. 



""^ <•-,<, 



: ^ 
^-^ 







''l'h<- 







Catching a Tartar. 



hailing distance of one of the Federal pickets. But, even as he 
felt that in a few minutes more he would be safe, he was sud- 
denly confronted by the two troopers. 

" Halt 1 Surrender I " called the sergeant. 

For answer, Capt. Strong turned and ran in the other direc- 
tion; the sergeant spurred his horse onward, and was, in a mo- 
ment's time, nearly up with the fugitive. The Federal turned, 
took deliberate aim, and pulled the trigger. The cap snapped. 
The trooper had his carbine unslung by this time, and was hold- 
ing it with both hands on the left side of his horse, the barrel 
pointed to the Federal's breast, and without bringing the weapon 
to his shoulder, the Confederate fired. It was a good shot, when 



Caught a Tartar. 73 

the aim is considered; though it failed of its object; the hall 
passed through coat and shirt, grazing the skin on the left side 
between the fifth and sixth ribs. An inch to the right, and it 
would have been fatal. 

By this time the fugitive was ready with another shot, and 
this time his revolver did not fail him. When the smoke cleared 
away, he saw ahorse, empty-saddled, galloping off towards the 
Confederate camp, the'rider dragged along the ground by the 
foot, which still stuck in the stirrup, as the Trojan prince was 
dragged at the chariot wheels of Achilles. Other Confederates 
there were none visible; warned by the fate of half their num- 
ber, they had hastily beaten a retreat. Capt. Strong ran on un- 
til the pickets were reached, when he thought he might take it 
a little more leisurely ; being much exhausted by the exertion 
and the loss of blood from the wound in his face. 

Whether he reached camp in time to report punctually at the 
hour set, does not appear ; but as the official written report from 
which the outlines of this story are drawn, was dated the day 
after the adventure, we conclude that the surgeon interfered to 
prevent over-exertion in the way of talking. He was uninjured, 
save for the shot in his cheek. He never heard again of his 
captors who so narrowly escaped with their lives. They evi- 
dently carried off the bodies of the two infantrymen, as these 
were killed very near the Confederate lines; and the dead 
trooper was, as we have seen, dragged back to camp by the 
frightened horse. 



j:^HAPT£:i^ Yl- 
A SCOUT TO BALTIMORE. 

Necessity for Information — Obliging Videttes — A Successful Ruse — An Unexpected 
Guest, Who Finds Himself in a Hornet's Nest, But Doesn't Get Stung — A Cor- 
dial Reception — ^Attentions from the Officer of the Day — Danger Ahead — 
Getting the Countersign — A Drunken Officer, Wlio Speedily Sobers Off — A 
Changed Home — Trustworthy (?) IMessengers — A Deserved Fate — A Friendly 
Chat, That Ends Unpleasantly — Crossing the River — The Enemy Alarmed — 
Pursuit — Vexation of the Pursuers — The Pursued Triumphant. 

THE War between the States afforded peculiar facilities for 
obtaining information, on either side, by means of scouts 
or spies ; for in every state that lay along the dividing line there 
were men who held with the North, and others who held with 
the South. Such men, of course, from their peculiarly intimate 
knowledge of the surrounding country and its inhabitants, were 
invaluable to the commanders to whom they attached thein- 
selves. Such a man was Elijah White, a wealthy planter of 
Maryland, who, like many others, incensed that that state re- 
mained in the Union, volunteered to serve in the Confederate 
army operating in the sister state, Yirginia. 

In October, 1861, Gen. Evans, of the Confederate army, whose 
forces were then at Leesburg, was much annoyed by the knowl- 
edge which the Federals frequently showed of his plans. Sus- 
picion immediately fell upon the townspeople, but could not be 
confirmed with regard to any particular persons. Not only was 
this the case, but the enemy indulged in many maneuvers which, 
in his entire ignorance of their movements and intentions, often 
discomforted his forces. Accordingly, several Marj^landers in the 
Confederate service volunteered to cross the Potomac and, pene- 
trating as far as Baltimore, sixty miles away, bring back the news. 
74 



A Scout to Baltimore. 75 

Four men made up the party, one of them being Mr. White. 
Eiding to that point selected for fording the river, they found 
that the stream was closely watched on the other side. Strata- 
gem, of course, must be employed, and some accommodating 
videttes were pressed into service. 

"Just you fuss about and attract as much attention as you 
can, will you?" was the proposition j " and then maybe we can 
get across." 

Doubtless the Federal pickets wondered what was the mat- 
ter with the videttes across the river; certainly, they paid their 
undivided attention to those gentlemen, and did not see the four 
men in blue uniforms who swam their horses to the Maryland 
side. These, of course, were White and his pai'ty; and once 
more on dry land, they changed their blue uniforms for citizens' 
clothes, and rode away. But by the time that they were ready 
to do so, the Federals had discovered that the "fussing about" 
on the part of the videttes had been merely a ruse to draw their 
attention from something else, and blue-clad cavalrymen were 
now galloping hither and thither in search of the daring enemy. 
But the Marylanders had no mind to be found; each felt that 
"his foot was on his native heath," and if no clan surrounded 
him, each was a host in himself. To them, a road was a superflu- 
ity, and, striking into the thicktimber, they rode for thirty miles 
without other guide than their knowledge of the country and 

"The cool, green mosses, 
To the northward of the trees." 

Of course, for them to enter Baltimore in a party would prob- 
ably excite suspicion, as that city was then in the hands of the 
Federals, who knew not whom, among its inhabitants, to trust; 
so, a short time before reaching the suburbs, they separated, 
having first assigned one of the principal hotels as a rendez- 
vous. True, the city being an important point and more than 
suspected of having Southern proclivities, was closely guarded ; 
but the four Confederates succeeded in evading any trouble- 
some inquiries. The very fact that they had so many acquaint- 
ances in the city was in itself a danger, but they were so skill- 
ful and fortunate as to avoid meeting with any who might betray 
them. But as the adventures of three of the party were of no 
particular interest, and might be told in a few words, let us fol- 
low the chief of the expedition, then, as he made his way about 
the city. 



76 A Scout to Baltimore. 

Stabling his horse in an out-of-the-way place, he carefully re- 
moved all traces of his ride from his person, and bent his steps 
toward the residence of a friend in whom he knew he could 

trust, a Mr. W . But what was his surprise to find his 

friend's parlors filled with a considerable party, twelve of whom 
were Federal officers. "W , however, was well used to dis- 
sembling in the presence of such as his present guests, and ex- 
claimed, as ho shook the new comer heartily by the hand: 

"Why, I had no idea we should have the pleasure of seeing 
you to-night — thought you couldn't tear yourself away from the 
metropolis." 

" 0, I left New York last night," explained White, readily 
taking the cue. "Thought I'd come around; though I didn't 
know there was any party on hand." 

" O, not a party; just a few friends from the garrison and 
about town, that, like yourself, happened to drop in. Let me 
introduce you." 

The new comer was as heartily received by the guests as by 
the host, and though the inquiries as to the news from the me- 
tropolis were somewhat difficult to answer, the suspicions of the 
party were not aroused. Tell it not in Grath, but the truth gath- 
ered from many sources by the present historian, seems to be that 

the good liquor dispensed so liberally by W affected them 

with such a desire to love all mankind as is q^ite unusual and im- 
proper for soldiers in time of war. Certain it is that the strange 
New Yorker, who spoke so patriotically about the "Union, one 
and indissoluble, now and forever," was taken to their hearts as 
"a regular brick;" they seeming to be especially fond of that 
variety of building material that night, since each went home 
with one in his hat. 

But before they dispersed, or even before they became "o'er 
all the ills of life victorious," White, by means of skillful and 
seemingly innocent questioning, succeeded in obtaining consider- 
able information regarding the number and disposition of troops 
upon the upper and lower Potomac. So completely were they 
blinded by his acting and their own intoxication that one of them 
insisted upon escorting him, the next day, over the fortifications. 
This Federal was, on that particular occasion, officer of the day, 
but his duties were not so onerous as to interfere with hospital- 
ity, and everything was fully explained to the stranger. It may 
well be believed that the Confederate kept his eyes and ears 



A Scout to Baltimore, 'j'j 

open, and while asking as few questions as possible, in order 
not to excite the suspicions of his now sober companion, he man- 
aged, by careful comparison of statements, to get a pretty accu- 
rate idea of facts and figures. 

But, of course, all of his time could not be spent in this profit- 
able manner. Provided by Mr. W with the sign and counter- 
sign, by which he could gain the confidence of the Southern sym- 
pathizers, he spent several days very pleasantly; keeping a 
sharp lookout, meanwhile, for further information. At last, 
judging that they had learned all that was necessary or possi- 
ble for them to find out, the four Confederates met, under cover 
of night, at a friend's house, to arrange matters for their depart- 
ure. Their discussion was suddenly interrupted by their host, 
who ushered in another friend, who had recently arrived in the 
city. The new comer was greeted as cordially as in time of peace, 
and the important subject in hand dropped for personal inquiries. 

" Sorry not to have seen you before," he replied to their greet- 
ing ; " but maybe it's just as well for you I wasn't in the city. I 
tell you, gentlemen, you'll have to be right careful if you want 
to get through all safe." 

" O, we're always careful — never got caught yet." 

"From what I've heard of your adventures, its more by good 
luck than good management; for some of your expeditions have 
been right risky. But you'll need extra care now. There's some- 
thing going on along the upper Potomac; I couldn't find out 
particulars without having too many questions asked of me, and 
maybe being obliged to make a trip to Fort McHenry; so I 
thought I'd warn you and give you all the information I could 
safely obtain." 

"The fords are guarded, 1 suppose?" 

" Double forces at every one. Baker — he's old Abe's right- 
hand man, you know — brags that he isn't going into winter 
quarters until he can do it at Eebel expense." 

" Does he prefer Libby or Andersonville ?" asked an irrepres- 
sible wag. 

"There's no time for joking, said White; Baker's acting in 
conjunction with Stone, at Poolesville; and we'll have to get 
back as soon as we can." 

Setting out with as little delay as possible, they made their 
way to the river; but the nearer they approached it, the more 
dangerous they found their course. There were so many Fed- 



78 A Scout to Baltimore. 

erals along the principal roads that they had to keep, most of 
the time, in the timber; and this could hardly be called a wise 
plan, since it would be liable to excite the suspicions of any stray 
scouting parties with which they might chance to meet. But 
their fears proved groundless, and they safely reached the woods 
near Poolesville. From this point, however, as they were well 
aware, it was unsafe to proceed towards the town, which lay 
directly in their course j yet it seemed equally unsafe to turn 
aside. 

"I tell you, boys," suggested "White, ''let's get the countersign 
and go into Poolesville." 

"Easily enough said/' returned one; "but how is it to be ac- 
complished 1" 

"I'll go and get it." 

But there was a chorus of protestations against White's propo- 
sition, and it was only with difficulty that he could silence their 
objections to his daring project. At last, however, he persuaded 
them to go to the house of a friend living in the neighborhood, 
and remain there for a given time, or until he should return with 
the countersign. Resuming his Federal uniform as soon as this 
plan was agreed on, he proceeded cautiously along the road un- 
til the light of a picket fire warned him that advance in that 
direction was no longer safe. Hitching his horse in the woods, 
therefore, he crept silently through the brush until he was with- 
in earshot of the nearest guard. More than an hour he lay there 
in the darkness made yet more dense by the deep shadows of the 
wood; hardly daring to breathe deeply lest he should alarm the 
guard ; to hear the countersign he had crept to within as short a 
distance as the nature of the ground allowed. His blood was 
chilled by the long inaction, for the air was keen that Octo- 
ber night ; and his limbs were almost benumbed by lying so long 
in one position. At length, however, his patience was rewarded. 
Footsteps were heard approaching. 

" Who comes there ?" challenged the guard. 

" A friend with the countersign." 

" Advance, friend, and give the countersign." 

With beating heart, the man hidden in the bushes strained his 
ears to hear the reply, which sounded but faintly: 

"Bunker Hill." 

He felt like flying back to his horse, but must, of course, re- 
turn as slowly and cautiously as he had advanced. At last, how- 



A Scout to Baltimore. 79 

ever, he was once more mounted, and dashed along the rQad at 
full gallop, roaring out as he went, something like this: 
" Oh, the Star-Span-(hic)gled Banner, oh, long (hie) may it wave,. 
O'er the (hie) land of the frrhee (hie) and the home of the hrah-(hic)ve." 

This beautiful rendering of the patriotic song was rudely in- 
terrupted by the picket's — 

" Halt ! Who comes there ?" 

" Friend 'ith count'sign," answered the new comer, with tipsy 
gravity, as he vainly tried to keep himself from reeling in the 
saddle. 

"Advance, friend, and give the countersign," was the reply, 
in the stereotyped form ; while the picket smiled contemptuously 
at the drunken officer who answered : 

" Bunker Hill," as he passed on. 

The sights which now met his eyes were such as, unexpected, 
might have sobered him had he been as drunk as he pretended 
to be; for he was now at once upon his own plantation, and in 
the Federal camp. His home was converted into a guard -house, 
whence issued unearthly cries, in mingled accents of brogue and 
German-English, from the drunken soldiers confined there. The 
fences had long since fed the flames of camp-fires ; the barns had 
shared the same fate. The groves were unsightly clusters of 
maimed trees, separated by strips of land where the fresh stumps 
showed what had been. But it was no time to think of the 
past, or the present as compared with it; he must think only 
of the present and the near future.. Passing easily from place 
to place by means of the countersign, he fell in with a party of 
officers who seemed bent on a glorious spree. 

"Keep it up till the 'wee sma' hours', boys," cried one. 

"You bet your bottom dollar on that," answered another. 

" I was to get back to Little Mac, with these dispatches, before 
sunrise," said a third, refilling his glass and leisurely sipping 
the contents. 

" Thirty miles!" exclaimed a fourth; "think you'll make it?" 

The speaker's laugh was echoed by the whole party, for the 
messenger's attitude and manner were anything but indicative of 
the energy that would be required for the ride. 

"D — d if I intend to try it. Old Stone needn't to think it. 
Guess my horse is lame. I hope he is." 

" What'll you do ? Somebody '11 blow on you, maybe." 

" O, I'll fix that. I won't stay in town. Guess I'll go just the 



80 A Scout to Baltimore. 

other side and put up at P 's for the night. Your dispatches 

are for Banks, ain't they, Schmidt?" 

Schmidt, another aid present, answered that they were. 

" Gruess they're good enough to keep over night, ain't they ? I 
don't believe they're important. Let's make a night of it, any- 
how, and lay the blame on the d — d good-for-nothing horses, 
that are so easily lamed." 

"Dat soods me, Gabdain" — answered Schmidt, with a strong 
German accent. "I don't know any ting w'at I likes better." 

The "wee, sma' hours" came all too soon for the majority of the 
party ; but at the smallest, they judged it safest to break up the 
bout. The two aids rode on to the plantation at which they 
were to spend the night; the remainder, with one exception, 
staggered home to their quarters; that one man mounted his no- 
ble gray horse and rode hastily to the farm-house where there 
were three others awaiting him. 

" Did you get the countersign ?" was the first eager question of 
all. 

" Got it without any trouble ; had some first-rate liquor, and 
have lots of fun in j)rospect for us." 

"What is it?" 

"A couple of McClellan's aids are going to spend the night 

at P 's; one has dispatches from Stone, the other to Banks. 

Let's capture them." 

With exclamations of joy, only stifled that no enemy might 
overhear them, they mounted and were soon on their way to the 
indicated house. Their plan was arranged as they rode on ; hav- 
ing ascertained in what room the two aids were to sleep, they 
would manage, by stratagem, to separate them, and thus beat 
them in detail. Accordingly, having lain in wait some time, 
White rode up to the house, and rousing a servant, asked, in dis- 
guised voice: 

"Is Captain Schmidt here ? I have been told that he was, and 
have been sent by Gen. Stone to call him immediately." 

"Yessah; I'll tell him, sah." 

Capt. Schmidt soon made his appearance, hurling oaths that 
from their deep guttural sounds seemed doubly profane. 

" Tamnter teufel w'at watched me and told old Stone. Wat's 
de matter you? O, I peg bardon — " 

" I am very sorry indeed, Captain Schmidt, foi the duty which 
has been imposed upon me. The general sent for me as soon as 



A Scout to Baltimore. 81 

he learned of my arrival in camp. It seems he had already 
heard of our frolic, and had ordered word of my arrival to be 
brought to him — " 

How long White might have gone on in these condolences is 
uncertain, for as he got to this point his three men had arranged 
matters so that the trusty messenger was completely in their 
power, and a moment more sufficed to secure him in such a way 
that resistance was useless, had he not been too much astonished 
to think of making any. He was left in charge of two of the 
men at some distance from the house where he had expected to 
spend the night, while White and the third of his little force 
went again to the residence. 

The knock at the door was answered this time by P in 

person, very much out of. humor at having his household so fre- 
quently aroused at such unusual hours ; for it was now verging 
on three o'clock in the morning. Determined to see the intruder, 
he suddenly shoved the candlestick so close to White's face that 
the flame singed his hair; and, seeing his old neighbor before 
him, started back in utter surprise. With a warning glance, 
White placed his finger on his lips and pointed his revolver. 

P , having recovered his self-control, nodded, and quietly 

submitted to be guarded by White's companion. Meantime the 
Confederate leader had mounted the stairs to the room lately 
occupied by Capts. Schmidt and , but in which only the lat- 
ter was to be found. 

"Why, Captain White," exclaimed the Federal, as he opened 
the door, "come in, sir. Glad to see you." 

" I heard you say at the tavern that you were going to stay all 
night here, and I thought I'd follow suit, and join my regiment 
in the morning." 

" 0, it isn't worth while to be so particular; take my word 
for it, it doesn't pay. Have a seat. You smoke, of course; won't 
you try one of these cigars ?" 

"Thank you; but smoking of itself is dry work; I've a 
pocket pistol here, of excellent brandy ; sample it." 

" Is that the kind of arms you carry ? I'm afraid they wouldn't 
be of much use if you were called on to defend yourself." 

" O, it's all right, I reckon ; it don't pretend to be effective 
against any foes but thirst and fatigue. By the way, how about 
the new carbines they talk of introducing ? Have you heard any- 
thing of them?" 



82 



A Scout to Baltimore. 



" "No, nothing but some camp talk. This is first class brandy 
— best I've tasted for a long time. I guess they'll poke along 
about the carbines a year or two, and then the war will be over 
and forgotten. For my part, I'd rather trust to these than to any 
carbine ever made." 

"Colt's, are they? It's a magnificent pair, certainly." 

"Yes, Colt's navies; I carry them alwaj^s; keep 'em loaded, 
and never let them go out of my possession." 

"Now, I prefer this kind — it's Adams,' self-cocker; have you 
ever seen them?" 

" Don't believe I have," replied Capt. , pushing his own 

revolvers across the table that stood by the bedside, and reach- 
ing for the more novel weapon of his companion. Meanwhile 
"White carelessly picked up the pair thus tendered to him, and 
examined them thoroughly, as any soldier might examine a 
handsome article of the kind. Cocking them as if unconscious- 
ly, he seemed lost in admiration of the elegant workmanship. 

"Loaded, you say?" he asked, in a careless tone. 

"Always," was the answer. 

"Mine isn't," was 
White's rejoinder, as he 
pointed the weapon in his 
right hand at his compan- 
ion's head, "I am a sol- 
dier in the Confederate 
army, and I want you to 
dress and come along with 
me immediately." 

The Federal, taken com- 
pletely by surprise, stared 
a moment at the Confed- 
erate ; then started up as 
if about to grapple with 
his opponent. 

" It's of no use to re- 
sist," White assured him, 
"for the house is surrounded by my men. Be quick." 

The prisoner dressed as quickly as possible, and in company 
with the two Confederates, was soon on horseback. Not much 
time was required to reach the remainder of the party, the re- 
union affording much surprise to the two prisoners, each of whom 




Mine isn't." 



A Scout to Baltimore. 88 

was ignorant of the other's capture; and an equal amount of 
quiet, grim amusement to the four Eebs. With their prisoners 
in the centre, they trotted briskly along in the bright moonlight 
until the gleain of the picket-fires across the Potomac was visi- 
ble. It was now necessary to hold a council of war; and with- 
drawing into the shadows of the woods, they consulted upon the 
course to be pursued. At last it was suggested that two should 
advance boldly towards the pickets with the countersign, and 
state that they had volunteered to cross the river on a recon- 
noissance. 

" That will get two of us across," answered one ; "but how 
about the rest?" 

''Why the news will spread, and they will want to talk it over 
with each other ; so they won't attend much to their posts for a 
while; and the two left behind with the prisoners can surely 
find an oj^portunity of slipping past at some place." 

The plan was accordingly put into operation, and succeeded 
admirably. When the two who went first were safely across the 
river, and the others were watching their opportunity, White 
turned to his prisoners and said : 

"Gentlemen, as you are perhaps aware, the least sound may 
betray us ; and the slightest attempt on your part to escape 
would excite the suspicions of your friends, Now I don't like to 
threaten, but for us to be taken would involve us in considerable 
danger; so please understand that the slightest effort to attract 
attention will be certain death. If we are taken, we will sell our 
lives dearly and yours will be only a portion of the price." 

The two prisoners, who had previously been gagged to pre- 
vent their talking, as they seemed determined to do, bowed 
their heads in assent to this demand, and gave no trouble in the 
passage of the river. The Confederates watched their chance 
narrowly, and when, as they had expected would be the case, 
they saw one particular spot deserted, they issued from the 
woods and swam their horses across the stream. But scarcely 
had they crossed when, in the distance, they saw two squadrons 
of the enemy dashing along the bank. Some of the negroes about 

P 's plantation must have made their way directly into 

camp and given information of all that had taken place. Their 
words, full of anger and chagrin, soon became plainly audible to 
the Confederates, who, secure in the vicinity of their own picket 
lines, gave vent to a hearty burst of laughter. 



84 A Scout to Baltimore. 

^••That's him !" cried one of the pursuing party; ''I know his 
voice, Major." 

"Is that you, White?" 

*'Tes, that's me, Major; how are you, sir? Fine night, isn't 
it? I'll give you another call soon. Good-night." 

In an instant a shower of shot was falling around him, but for- 
tunately did no damage. In his little force, he had himself as- 
sumed the position of rearguard, and had lingered farther behind 
his party than was necessary; accordingly, putting spurs to his 
good gray, he cantered merrily on, and had soon come up with 
the main body. But they were now approaching Leesburg a lit- 
tle too closely for the liking of the Federals, who accordingly 
wheeled as soon as they saw that they were not to bag their 
game, and returned to the Maryland side of the Potomac. 

Meanwhile, White and his men had reached Leesburg, deliver- 
ed their prisoners into the proper hands, and as soon as they 
should have snatched a few hours' sleep, were ready for any 
other expedition which promised as much as this, in the way of 
adventure. 



ZAGOITTI'S FAMOUS CHARGE. 

rr'j;r/ont — Zagonyi— Fremont's Body-Guard— A Kid-Glo^-ed Brigade— The Prairie 
Scouts — Valuable Information — Strength and Disposition of the Confederates — 
" Fremont and the Union "—The Valley of Death— Mathenyi's Attack— Retreat 
oftheEnemy— A Determined Foe— His Fate— The Fight Ended— Not a Kid- 
Gloved Brigade. 

G^ EN". FEEMONT had been extremely popular ever since 
JC his explorations of the Far "West had made known to the 
peoj)le the true greatness of the country beyond the Mississippi ; 
and when, in the early days of the war, he was assigned to the 
command of the Federal forces in Missouri, enthusiasm knew 
no bounds. He was welcomed as a deliverer by those who de- 
sired to keep the State in the "Union, and bitterly execrated by 
those of opposite sentiments. 

Among those whom his personal powers of fascination and 
romantic life had attracted to his side, was a Hungarian refugee 
who had long been a resident of this country. A soldier in 
boyhood, when his native land made her desperate but unsuc- 
cessful eflPort to free herself, he made himself notorious for his 
headlong courage. But he was not permitted to serve until the 
end of the war. There was a desperate cavalry charge upon an 
Austrian battery; more than half of the horsemen were slain; 
their leader was wounded and captured; and for two years, 
Zagonyi was a prisoner. Then, imperial clemency released him, 
but exiled him forever. He came to this country, and having 
for so many years enjoyed the blessings of a republican form of 
government, considered himself as much bound to fight for the 
preservation of the "Union as any " to the manor born." 

Zagonyi offered his services to Gen. Fremont, and was most 
85 



86 



Zagonyi's Famous Charge. 



cordially received. "Whether at his own suggestion, or that of 
his commander, does not appear; but he was authorized to raise 
a company of horse, to be known as " Fremont's Body-Guard." 
Such was the personal popularity of the Pathfinder, that young 
men flocked to the standard thus raised, in numbers more than 
sufficient to fill the company. Notwithstanding the severe tests 
to which they were subjected, in the effort to organize a body of 
Bayards, knights fearless and blameless, within five days a num- 
ber sufficient to form two full companies had been eni-olled. In 
addition to these, a third company, composed of the flower of 
the Kentucky youth, ten- 
dered its services and 
asked to be included in 
the guard. Subsequent- 
ly a fourth company was 
added to these three. 
Handsomely uniformed, 
well-armed, mounted up- 
on picked horses, and 
peculiarly entitled to be 
called by the command- 
er's name, the corps soon 
awoke the jealousy of 
the other parts of the 
army. *' Fancy soldiers," 
the "kid-gloved brigade," 




Majo7' Zagonyi. 



and similar epithets were muttered or spoken aloud as they rode 
through the camp. Fired, as they were, with an enthusiasm for 
a soldier's life, these were the bitterest taunts that could be flung 
at them; and many were the secret vows made by those chival- 
rous hearts, that their comrades' words should be disproved. 

Late in October, 1861, Major Zagonyi received orders to pro- 
ceed with one hundred and sixty of his men to reconnoiter the 
country through which the main body was about to advance; 
leaving the remainder of his men in camp, under command of a 
non-commissioned officer. It was eight o'clock, on the evening of 
the 24th, when they set out toward Springfield, Mo. Gen. Sigel 
had already sent out a squadron of cavalry for a similar purpose, 
one hundred and thirty strong — the Prairie Scouts, well-known 
in the War history of Missouri ; these were but a few hours in 
advance of Zagonyi's troops, and a rapid march soon enabled 



Zagonyi's Famous Charge. 87 

the latter to overtake them, thus combining the two forces. 

Major Zagonyi took command — the officer of the Prairie 
Scouts, Major "White, being very ill — and pressed rapidly on- 
ward. His men were almost worn out by the strain on their 
powers. The Scouts, organized at Georgetown, had marched to 
Lexington, sixty-five miles, and retaken the boats which Price 
had captured from Mulligan, when the latter capitulated in Sep- 
tember. Proceeding by way of Warrensburg to Warsaw, Major 
"White had reported to Gen. Sigel for duty, and had been sent to 
Springfield. During the whole of this time they had been with- 
out tents, and had been obliged to provide themselves with food 
from the surrounding country. Although the Body-Guard could 
not show such a length of arduous service as their comrades, 
they were equally weary, having been on the march for seven- 
teen hours. 

Such was the condition of the men when, as they came within 
two miles of Springfield, they were met by a farmer who said he 
had important information to give. Obedient to the summons of 
their leader, the officers clustered around him, and listened at- 
tentively to this "friend in need." A number of men on their 
way to join Price, he said, had but recently arrived at Spring- 
field, and this reinforcement had increased the force of the enemy 
to two thousand. Later investigations have revealed that this 
estimate fell short of the real strength of the enemy by two 
hundred — in itself not much less than the entire force at Zagonyi's 
disposal. 

The Confederates were encamped upon a hill about half a mile 
west of the town; to their left was a broad and well traveled 
road ; to their right, a narrow lane. Their rear was protected 
by a dense growth of trees, which crowned the summit of the 
hill, and at the foot of the hill there was a small brook. Be- 
tween their encampment and the grove mentioned, were situated 
the county fair grounds. The latter aff'orded protection for 
their train, being surrounded by a high bpard fence; while the 
edge of the timber formed an advantageous post for their in- 
fantry and cavalry. 

Major "White had been left behind the main column, with a 
small escort, to proceed as slowly as his weakened condition 
might require ; and had been captured by a Confederate scouting 
party. This confirmed earlier reports of the presence of Fed- 
eral troops i'n the near vicinity, and their officers lost no time in 



88 Zagonyi's Famous Charge.' 

preparing to resist the expected attack. Their position was 
practically unassailable, except by way of the narrow lane al- 
ready mentioned; infantry and cavalry were posted so as best to 
command this avenue of attack, and sharpshooters stationed 
among the scattered trees, to pick off the advancing assailants. 
The lane had no outlet, leading only to ploughed fields and tim- 
ber, impassable for cavalry; if, then, the infantry stood firm, 
nothing could prevent the enemy's being cut to pieces. 

Such was the situation as the farmer explained it to Major Za- 
gonyi. A hurried council of war was held ; would it be well to 
advance? There were many reasons for a negative answer; 
there was but one for any other. 

*'We have been called 'kid-gloved boys', and 'fancy soldiers for 
the pavements of St. Louis'; shall we show that we are soldiers 
fit for the battle-field, and know how to handle our enemies 
without gloves?" 

Such was the question which the leader addressed to his men ; 
there was not one dissentient voice in the answer; he bade any 
who were sick, or tired with the seventeen hours' ride, go back, 
while there was yet time ; but not a man stirred. 

" Follow me, then," he cried ; " And let our watchword be, 
' Fremont and the Union !' " 

In order to reach the lane along which they were to ride 
against the enemy, it was necessary to make a detour of twelve 
miles; under the guidance of the farmer, this was speedily ac- 
complished, and they came in sight of the battle-ground. At 
first, not an enemy is to be seen ; the column of horsemen, whose 
sabres and spurs clank as they ride, in a sort of rough martial 
music, seemed strangely out of place in the still brightness of 
the October afternoon. Suddenly, from the woods, that glow 
with all the beauty of an American autumn, ring out four short 
shrill reports, and four Guards reel in their saddles ; their eyes 
glaze ; they fall to the ground. The leaves overhead still dance 
in the breezes, though from the same bough others have flut- 
tered, brown and dead, to the ground ; the column rides onward 
as if none of those composing it were left behind. There is no 
time to halt now, for just over that spur of the hill they see the 
gleam of rifles. 

They ride on, and as they pass the corner of the wood, 
" Battle's magnificently stern array " 
breaks upon their sight. The road slopes rapidly downward; 



90 



Zagonyfs Famous Charge. 



%.)m mil 




Zagonyi's Famous Charge. 91 

they must reach the vallej'- as soon as possible, and charge up 
the hill. Urging their horses to a gallop, at the word of com- 
mand, they follow their leader, 

"Into the jaws of death, 
Into the mouth of hell." 

Volley softer volley pours into their ranks, but at last they have 
gained the brook which separates the two slopes, and they dash 
wildly up the hill. There is a momentary hesitation; they can 
not tell why their comrades, the Scouts, should have deserted 
them in this hour of need; they do not know that the com- 
mander of the smaller body has judged a flank attack advisable, 
and has deployed his men for that purpose ; but it can be only a 
momentary halt, for it is as certain death for them to pause here 
as it is for them to dash onward. 

But the wood was so dense as to be impenetrable; and the 
Scouts, who had suifered from a galling fire while making the 
endeavor, were forced to desist. As they rode forward to re- 
inforce the Guard, they met an officer of that body riding back 
towards them ; and gave the order : 

" The enemy are retreating ; take your men down that lane 
and cut them off." 

The point indicated was the line of connection with the main 
road. The order was of course obeyed, though the information 
proved to be false. This movement left the whole brunt of the 
battle to be borne by the Guard. This body was reforming at 
the foot of the hill; being, in this position, somewhat sheltered 
from the enemy's guns. As yet, they have not struck a blow, 
although suffering so severely; but the time has come for ac- 
tion. Lieutenant Mathenyi receives orders to attack the ene- 
my's cavalry with a force of thirty men ; and the little body pro- 
ceeds at once to execute the order. The Confederate horsemen, 
four hundred strong, are posted at the edge of the wood ; it 
seems folly to attack them with this handful of men, but the 
odds are no greater than in other parts of the field. 

The graycoats wait to see the meaning of such a movement — 
a small force detached from the main one. Mathenyi's corps has 
thundered up the hill halfway to the summit before they realize 
what this desperate foe intends to do. Grasping their revolvers 
they pour their fire into the advancing horsemen ; but it does 
not cause a delay. Eight at the center of the body Mathenyi 
hurls his men, their sabres gleaming and flashing in the sun- 



92 Zagonyi's Famous Charge. 

shine. Dismayed by the unexpected attack, the Eebels give 
way an instant; they cannot cl*se up again, for the Yankees are 
among them, cutting them down like grass. Thrown into such 
fatal disorder, they can only seek each man for himself, for 
safety. They turn and fly, pursued in hot haste into the corn- 
fields where they would have taken refuge ; 

" And down in the corn, where the poppies grew 
Were redder stains than the poppies knew." 

Mathenyi has disappeared among the enemy's cavalry; there 
is neither time nor opportunity to ascertain whether the attack 
has been successful or whether the handful of men has been cut 
to pieces; the main body has reformed, and Zagonyi gives the 
command : 

"In open order — charge !" 

The column spreads out like a fan, and rushes madly up the 
slope. A murderous fire pours down the hill ; but the leaden 
hail seems unheeded, save where, here and thpre, the Guardsmen 
drop from their saddles. Here rushes a riderless horse, mad 
with excitement into which his rider has guided him ; but sud- 
denly he feels another hand on the rein, another weight upon 
his back; and is again with his companions; leaving behind on 
the grassy slope, steeds and riders, " in one red burial blent." 

Had the Confederate infantry stood their ground, nothing 
could have saved the attacking force. Outnumbered, fourteen 
to one, they had no means of retreat, nor did they desire any. 
But the Southerners did not wait for the attack ; seized with 
a deadly panic, they turned and fled into the woods, the Guards 
spurred their horses amid the fugitives, cutting them down mer- 
cilessly. There was, after the first rout, an efl'ort made to rally 
the men, but it proved ineff'ectual; all that remained of the 
force "was anumber, who, more determined than the rest, shelter- 
ed themselves behind trees, and fired at the horsemen who ad- 
vanced. But even these are soon put to flight by the deter- 
mination of the boys in blue. Scattering from the point where 
they had been stationed, some of the infantry endeavored to 
reach the ploughed fields near by, whither the sabred cavalry 
cannot follow; but many take shelter in the fair-grounds, and 
thence escape to the town. They are pursued hotly, and the con- 
flict now rages in the streets. "Women and children hasten away 
from the dreadful scene of carnage; and yet, impelled by a ter- 
rible fascination, turn back to look upon it. 



Zagonyi's Famous Charge. 



93 



In eveiy battle there must be, on both sides, numberless in- 
stances of courage; or there would be no battle, but a slaughter. 
It is sometimes difficult, through a medium that shows only one 
side of the question, to discern this fact ; and in the recognition 
of it consists the impartiality of a War history. While the Con- 
federates were, in general, ignominiously routed by a handful of 
men, there were many of them who did not deserve censure; 
and among these was a young officer who, on that one day, vindi- 
cated the claim of one man to a place among the chivalry of the 
South. Superbly mounted, he dashed alone against a squad of 
Federals ; he breaks through their line ; one of them goes down 
before him; wheeling, he charges again upon the same body; 
another feels the weight of his blade, and he escapes in safety. 

But this was not all. 
Feeling that much of the 
credit for the desperate 
valor of the troops must 
be due to their leader, 
he sought out Zagonyi, 
in the thick of the fight. 
Charging a third time 
on the enemy, he level- 
ed his pistol at the lead- 
er, and pulled the trig- 
ger when the muzzle al- 
most touched his side. 
Swaying to the right as 
he felt the pressure of 
the revolver over his 
heart, Zagonyi escaped 



jugonyi. 
^ the wound, and the bullet passed through his cloth- 
ing. As the weapon was discharged, the Federal 
raised his sabre, already discolored, and cleft his opponent's 
skull ; at the same instant those who surrounded him, believing 
their leader wounded, pressed around the Confederate with their 
flashing blades, and before he had fallen from the saddle, his 
body was covered with blood from half-a-dozen wounds. 

Up and down, through the streets of the little city, rode the 
soldiers, seeking the scattered enemy ; most of the Confed- 
erate horsemen, and many of the infantry, had made their way 
to a place of safety; but those that remained were the bravest, 




94 ' Zagonyi's Famous Charge, 

the most desperate, who fought like the Guards themselves. At 
last night descended, and the fight was at an end. 

The assembly was sounded, and the troops gathered in the 
public square of the town — how changed from the gallant array 
that at noon had approached Springfield. Then, every man had 
been mounted on a magnificent, dark bay horse, chosen witli 
care from the well-stocked stables of the government^ but only 
thirty of these animals bore their riders out of the fight; the 
rest of the soldiers were mounted on horses caught on the field, 
their Confederate riders having been killed, or were on foot. Kor 
was this the worst. Seventeen of their number had fallen on 
the field; two could not live through the night; twenty-eight 
others were more slightly wounded ; and of those who here as- 
sembled, and peered into the powder-stained, smoke-begrimed 
visages around them, there was not one who did not wonder to 
see so many there. So desperate had been their charge that it 
seemed a miracle that any escaped. 

Expecting that the fugitives would soon reach the main body 
of the enemy, and that he would be attacked by a force which 
he could not resist. Major Zagonyi determined not to attempt to 
hold the town, but to retreat to a distance of about twenty-five 
miles. This was successfully accomplished, and at last the 
weary and half-starved soldiers had an opportunity to rest and 
refresh themselves. 

Thus ended a charge often called in the annals of the period, 
" Zagonyi's Ride to Death.'' As brilliant an exploit as has ever 
been recorded, it resembles in more points than one, the course 
of a rocket through the darkness of a July night. A sudden 
flash, and it bursts upon our ast nished gaze, a miracle of radi- 
ance ; but in a moment it has faded as completely as a dream — 
" left not a wrack behind." The attack upon a force so far su- 
perior in point of numbers attracted much attention even at that 
iiime, when wonders were every-day afi'airs ; but it had no effect 
upon the progress of the war in that part of country; its only 
result may be summed up in the words of one of the men there 
wounded, who groaned out to a friend: 

" I guess they won't call us ' kid-gloved soldiers' any more." 



:pHAPTE^ ^lll 



A VENTURESOME VENTUKE. 

Too Venturesome for a Leader — A Good Chance — In Ambush — ^A Disappointed 
Party — A Slina Chance — A Woman in tlie Case — A Desperate State of Affairs 
— A Golden Opportunity — That Proves to be Less Golden — A Division is 
Brought Out — Capture of the Scouts — Exchange. 

IN" the old days " before the War," so lovingly looked back 
to by many a one who now finds himself growing old, it was 
no difficult matter in the South to arrange a hunt. As soon as 
" A southerly wind and a cloudy sky 
Proclaimed it a hunting morning," 

some enthusiast would mount and ride to the next neighbor's 
with an informal invitation to the sport. So the party would 
grow, as they went on, just as a snow ball increases. When the 
War broke out, the same spirit still survived, but could only 
vent itself in expeditions of daring and adventure. 

It was so that the scouting party grew, whose adventures we 
are about to relate. Captain Darrell, the leader, was a young 
South Carolinian, nominally attached to Gen. Bonham's staff, 
but who, finding the life of a partisan more agreeable, was re- 
lieved of the duties of an aid-de-camp, and allowed to plan and 
execute his own movements as if he regularly belonged to that 
branch of the service. A native of the same state as the Eevo- 
lutionary Swamp Fox, his was a desperate, reckless courage 
which would have done credit to one of Marion's men. He 
claimed to be extremely cautious ; but this does not appear to 
have been well founded, for many of his old friends in the 
South Carolina regiments predicted many times that he 
would certainly be captured, and refused to accompany him on 
any more scouting expeditions- 
95 



96 A Venturesome Venture. 

Such was the man who, one day in November, 1861, learned 
of an opportunity of harrassing the enemy. The Federal forces 
were at Langley, their pickets being somewhat in advance ; while 
the Confederates had a picket post at Dranesville, a town made 
memorable in the following month by the artillery duel which 
was the first success of the Northern Army of the Potomac. 
Capt. Darrell received, from private sources, information that 
a Federal force was to proceed towards Dranesville, probably 
on a reconnoissance; and, without an effort to ascertain the 
strength of the party, determined, with a few men, to attack it 
from the woods through which the road passed, and escape pur- 
suit in the confusion which would ensue. 

Following the old plan for raising a hunting party, he soon 
had, despite his reputation for recklessness, as many men as he 
desired. They were three in number; Lieut. Decaradeux, and 
two privates. Carper and Coleman. They set out in the after- 
noon, and stationed themselves in a position most excellently 
adapted for an ambush. Above the road rose, on either side, a 
high bank, entirely inaccessible to horses, and nearly or quite 
so to the most expert climber. These elevations were crowned 
with a dense growth of lofty pines. A better covert could not 
be imagined. 

Here they waited, but the enemy did not come. Night drew 
on, and resolving to give up the idea until the next day, they left 
their post and went some distance down the road to the house 
of an acquaintance. Here they passed the night, leaving just 
after daybreak. The house stood some little distance from the 
main road, being separated from it by a field of considerable ex- 
tent. They were in the midst of this field when they descried, 
far down on the road from Dranesville, the head of a column of 
Federal cavalry. There was no time to be lost; and a hurried 
consultation was held. 

"They must have passed us during the night!" 

"Lot's get to the big pines where we were yesterday as soon 
as we can." 

"We can't do it in safety ; the trees are half a mile off, and 
the Feds would see us and fire on us sure." 

"What are we to do, then ?" 

"There's some second growth just under the hill, across the 
road ; we might take shelter there." 

They had by this time reached the edge of the road ; and the 



A Venturesome Venture. 97 

last suggestion seeming the most feasible plan, they quickly act- 
ed upon it. The road was crossed, and passing a small house 
that stood by it, they gained the shelter of the young pines, 
which were some six or seven feet in height. 

"What are we to do here, Captain?" 

" We must annoy them as much as we can ; they've been up to 
some deviltry at Dranesville, and they'll think it's got abroad 
and we're a large force sent to ambush them." 

"Mighty slim chance," muttered one of the men. 

" O, I don't know about that; I shall fire into them as they 
pass J and though I am ready to die, if necessary, I think we'll 
all get off safely enough. They'll be considerably confused by 
the attack, and while they are getting ready to repulse the 
strong party, we can get away to the big pines below, where 
they never can catch us." 

"Well, I'll stand by you. Captain," answered Decaradeux, 
firmly and without a moment's hesitation. 

There was a slight pause, and then, with white faces but flash- 
ing eyes, the others added, in one voice : 

"So Willi." 

" Look to your arms, then, and see that they are in perfect 
order." 

All this time the body of cavalry had been steadily approach- 
ing. At the head of the column rode Gen. Bayard, then rank- 
ing as colonel, the officer in command. 'In the rear were the 
Confederate pickets and about a dozen citizens of Dranesville 
that they had captured and were taking back to Langley. They 
were not more than twenty yards away, when Darrell gave the 
final order to his men to look to the condition of their arms; 
and as they rode on, he sprang to his feet with the words: 

" Now, boys, let them have it." 

As the shot poured into their ranks, the men looked around 
in terror, imagining that the whole Rebel army was hidden in 
the pines. Many of them had wheeled and were about to beat 
an ignominious retreat, regardless of everything but personal 
safety, when the voice of their leader inspired them with more 
courage. 

"Steady, boys, steady; close up the ranks there; no running 
away !" 

As he spoke, he spurred his own horse onward, closely fol- 
lowed by his staff officers; he advanced to a distance of five 



^^^ A Venturesome Venture. 

yards from the bushes, when the fire of the Confederates again 
blazed forth, and his horse fell, carrying hina also to the ground. 
At the same moment, two other ofiicers fell, one killed, the other 
mortally wounded. Col. Bayard speedily regained his feet, and 
mounting the horse of one of these fallen men, endeavored to re- 
store order among his men. 

But it seemed as if they were hopelessly demoralized by the 
fatal effects of the two volleys, and they had well-nigh become 
uncontrollable when a woman, running out of the little house 
which the scouts had passed, cried : 

" There's only four of them ! There's only four men in the 
bushes." 

Her tone was imploring, for she was a Southern woman, a friend 
of the four men there concealed, and she meant rather to plead for 
thera than to encourage their enemies; but, half-frenzied by the 
thought of such a small party being attacked by so large a force, 
she did not consider that she was really betraying her friends. 
Her words, of course, were far from having the effect which she 
intended. The Federals needed, no encouragement from their 
officers when once assured that the attacking force did not con- 
sist of the whole Confederate army; they rallied, and while 
some were dismounted that the bushes might be the more thor- 
oughly searched, others were so disposed as to prevent the es- 
cape of the enemy by flight. 

Matters had taken ^a desperate turn for the scouts; Decara- 
deux had been wounded in the right hand, Coleman had a bul- 
let in his side; the only hope of safety lay in their being able 
to reach the big pines where they had, the evening before, wait- 
ed for this very body of troops. But this movement on their 
part was anticipated by the enemy, for Bayard had completely 
surrounded the clump of bushes, and had, besides, filled it with 
his dismounted men. It was, then, in the midst of a circle of 
foes that was rapidly closing around him, that Darrell stopped 
under a sapling to reload his revolver. He heard their yells 
and howls around him, as the traveler over the Siberian wastes 
hears the voice of the wolves pursuing him ; as the stag hears the 
yelping and baying of the hounds. His hand, however, was as 
steady as ever in the safe solitude of his tent; not an unnecessary 
grain of powder was poured from the flask, and as he rammed 
the balls home and rose from the earth, his face, save from the 
blazing eyes, was as calm as if he were beside a camp fire. 



100 



A Yenturesome Venture. 




A Venturesome Venture. 101 

The little group had scattered when the cavalrymen had first 
entered the bushes, and Darrell was now quite alone. As he 
I'ose to his feet, he became a target for several of the enemy, 
and the balls whistled thick around his ears. The distance was 
so short that nothing could save him but continual motion from 
place to place. Darting from tree to tree, he at last stood in an 
open space near the road, and lookingtowarditsawthat a gap in 
the fence was guarded by a single cavalryman. It seemed a golden 
opportunity. He had answered with his revolver a few of the 
many shots that had been fired at him, and now had but a single 
load remaining; to fire on this man and hit him, might mean 
escape; to fire and miss him meant certain death. 

This flashed through his brain instantaneously. Quick as 
thought he rushed at the horseman, raising his revolver as he 
advanced; the Federal raised his carbine and fired, but Darrell 
had expected and provided for it; dodging to one side as he saw 
the cavalryman's finger on the trigger, he sprang like a wild eat 
at the Federal's throat, and with the muzzle of his pistol close 
against the breast of the blue blouse, fired. The Yankee fell 
like a stone as Darrell loosed his grasp upon his throat, and 
the scout's hand was on the rein. One moment more, and he 
would be in the saddle ! 

His break toward the road had been perceived by some of the 
comrades of the man he had killed, and they had closely fol-. 
lowed him. Eapid as his movements had been, they were up 
with him when he grasped the rein, having the advantage of be- 
ing mounted. A blow with the butt end of a carbine, and the 
Confederate laj'' senseless under the feet of their horses, that, 
suddenly checked in their course, reared and plunged above him, 
striking his prostrate body with their hoofs. One of the men 
threw himself from his horse and bent over the scout. 

"Is he dead ?" asked another. 

"Dead as a herring," answered the first, rising. 

But it proved to be a livelier corpse than he thought; for Dar- 
rel had been but momentarily stunned, and now, as he regained 
his senses, raised his head from the earth 

"Get up," commanded one, roughly, assisting him by the time 
honored means of grasping his collar. 

Dizzy and half-blinded, Darrel regained his feet, to find him- 
self the center of a group of men, apparently gathered from all 
countries on the face of the globe. In his ears, that still rang 



1*>^ A Venturesome Venture. 

with the force of the blow he had received, there now sounded 
a perfect Babel of languages. Eecovering himself by an effort, 
lie wrenched the carbine from the hand of one of the cavalry- 
men standing by, and was about to club it, when half a dozen, 
seeing his intention, snatched it from him and again held him, 
this time more securely than before. As they were crowding 
about him, now pushing him this way, now that, there was a 
little man who held a cocked pistol in his hand, and who was 
endeavoring to make his way through the group to its center, 
elbowing his larger comrades right and left. 

"Let the Italian at him," suggested one, and the cry Avas 
speedily taken up by others. 

" Grive me a pistol and put me in that field," rejoined the scout 
fiercely, " and I don't care whether it's an Italian or a Yankee 
that comes." 

There was a shout of laughter at this defiance, which was re- 
doubled when another party came up with the cry : 

"Here's the girl you left behind you !" 

It was Lieut. Decaradeux, whose delicate features and pale 
face looked extremely feminine under a black oil-cloth turban, 
with which they had replaced his lost hat. 

" Humph !" retorted another, as he saw the dignified air of the. 
young officer, "that fellow looks like he didn't care what the 
price of tobacco was. Who is he, anyhow ?" 

The question was addressed to Capt. Darrell, who made no 
answer. 

The coarse raillery lasted for some time, being redoubled as 
Coleman was brought up. Carper had succeeded in getting 
away. The cavalrymen were only silenced by the appearance 
of a staff-ofRcer, who, riding up to the group, addressed Capt. Dar- 
rell, claiming him as an old acquaintance at the University of 
Virginia. He was Capt. McKewn, an adjutant of Gen. McCall, 
and once in his care, of course, the prisoners were not further 
molested. 

As the party approached Langley, they met a large force of 
Federal troops ; it was Cen. McCall with his whole division. Hav- 
ing heard the firing, he had thought, as Ba3'ard's command did, 
that the reconnoitering party had been ambushed by the whole 
Confederate force, and having no frightened female enemy to 
reassure him, had ordered all the forces at his command to march 
to the rescue. 



A Venturesome Venture. 103 

" So you brought out your division to capture four men, Gen- 
eral," said Captain Darrell. "Was it worth while?" 

G-en. McCall looked at him half angrily for a moment, and then, 
relaxing the muscles of his face as he saw the wicked gleam in 
the prisoner's dark eye, replied : 

" I don't know. It succeeded, I believe.'' 
"Not quite," persisted Darrell, "for one got away." 
The prisoners were well treated for the remainder of the 
journey to Langley, whence they were sent to Washington. 
There was an effort made to consider them as spies, and execute 
them as such; and the fact that the officer who had been killed 
was a surgeon, anon-combatant, was made to seem a matter of 
great importance ; but they showed that they were on a recon- 
noissance with a force of four infantry, as Col. Bayard had been 
on a similar errand with a thousand cavalry, and the plea was 
admitted ; as to the killing of the surgeon, it was evident that 
if a uniformed, shoulder-strapped non-combatant chose to ride 
at the head of a column under such circumstances, he must take 
the consequences J certainly the enemy could not be expected to 
draw such fine distinctions. 

Cleared, then, of all accusations of a criminal nature, our 
three scouts were remanded to the tedium of a military prison. 
Here they occupied their time in discussing the best mode of 
escape and in laying various plans, until the officer in charge, 
growing suspicious, put them into solitary confinement. The 
trouble about exchanging prisoners had not then arisen, and it 
was not long before they were duly conducted, by the flag-of- 
truce boat, back to the Confederate lines. 



HCnyvHTER 1^. 



GARFIELD'S DISPATCH BEARER. 

Marshall's Invasion of Kentucky — Disposition of the Federal Forces — John Jor- 
dan — The PreciouH Bullet — Summoned to Surrender — A "Wild Break for Lib- 
ertj- — Answering the Owl — Pursued and Treed — A Lucky Misstep — The Er- 
rand Done — Dangers of the Return Journey — The Result — Garfield's Reward 
— John Jordan's Reward. 

MARSHALL, with his five thousand men, had invaded 
Kentucky in those early days of the war, when opinions 
as to a man's duty often trembled in the balance as to whether 
he owed most to the individual State which was his home, or to 
the country of which that State formed but a part. That was the 
time when men waited anxiously to hear the news, hoping or 
fearing, as the case might be, that Missouri, Maryland, Ken- 
tucky, had left the Union and joined the Confederacy. Among 
thesimple-rainded mountaineersof the Piedmontregion went, not 
only the soldiers of the South, firing the younger men with the 
desire of bearing arms in a noble quarrel, but men eloquent 
with the rude powers which might best appeal to them, trj'ing 
to convince old and young that this was the right side. Thej' 
listened, but were not convinced. Many of them had sons or 
brothers already sworn to the service of the United States; 
others were ready to cast in their own lot with them whenever 
necessity demanded it. But persuasion or compulsion might, in 
the end, triumph over a sufficient number to turn the balance. 

Such was the state of affairs against which the Union forces 
in Kentucky must contend. Four thousand four hundred in- 
fantry, six hundred cavalry, and twelve pieces of artillery — such 

was the measure of the cncmv's strength. To contend with this 

104 



Garfield's Dispatch Bearer. 105 

force, Gen. Buell had sent a young Ohioan, who, besides his 
own regiment, was in command of the Fourteenth Kentucky and 
the Fortieth Ohio, and a small body of three hundred cavalry. 
His own regiment and the Fourteenth were at Louisa ; the For- 
tieth, under Col. Cranor, was at Paris ; and the cavalry, com- 
manded by Lieut.-Col. Woolford, was at Stamford. Between the 
fourteen hundred men at Louisa and the eight hundred at Paris, 
there was a mountainous, rocky country, reaching a distance of 
one hundred miles from one place to another. Nor were the na- 
tural difficulties all that was to be overcome : it was in the 
midst of this region that Gen. Marshall had established his 
forces. 

To contend with the enemy with any chance of success what- 
ever, it was necessary to effect a junction of the Federal troops. 
Even then, there were but two thousand five hundred men against 
five thousand; and dispatches must be sent through a region 
where Marshall had scouting parties in all directions. 

But Col. Garfield (for the young Ohioan spoken of was the 
future President) was not content to so give it up. If a messen- 
ger could be found, he would endeavor to unite the forces and 
attack the Confederates, hoping that a surprise and a mistaken 
idea as to the number of his troops would do what mere courage 
would otherwise find impossible. 

"Have you a man," he said, to the Colonel of the Kentucky 
regiment, ''who would sooner die than betraj^ his trust?" 

"Many of them, I hope," replied the other, hastily running 
over in his mind the names of those whom he could put upon the 
list. 

"I want only one," rejoined the senior officer anxiously; and 
in addition to his reliability, he must be well acquainted with 
the surrounding country. Otherwise, I could send one of my 
Buckeyes." 

"My men are, as you know, mainly from these rocky, hillsides, 
and are wholly unacquainted with anything else. They are 
earnest, even enthusiastic in their patriotism, as, indeed, all 
mountaineers are. But I will give you the best of all — John 
Jordan, from the head of Baine." 

The Baine is a small stream which enters into the Big Sandy, 
not far from the point at which the regiments were encamp- 
ed. 

"Will you send for him? There is no time to be lost." 



106 



Garfield's Dispatch Bearer. 



The mountaineer was accordingly summoned to the Colonel's 
headquarters. A tall, lithe frame, a gaunt and sallow face, a 
small, piercing gray eye, a high-pitched voice— these made up 
the first impressions which the Ohioan received when he first 
saw the Kentuckian. 

'' M}^ man, I have a 
piece of work to he done 
at once, and your colonel 
thinks that you can do it 
better than any one else." 

The private looked 
abashed, and saluted 
awkwardly again, as if 
that were the only reply 
which he was sure was 
suitable for the occasion, 

"Do you knowtheroad 
to Paris? Don't be afraid 
to speak out, yes or no." 

" I know putty well 

Gx'rj part of the kentrj- 

round about here, cunnel; 

an' I reckon I could find 

the way 'most anywhar." 

. „. ^ " Would you, if it was 

A Fiece of Work to be Done. ^ ^i. j n 

necessary tor the good oi 

the country, undertake to ride to Paris with a message to Col. 

Cranor?" 

" I'll go jist whar I'm told to go, cunnel," replied the soldier, 
gravely, revolving the matter in his own mind. 

"I will wot send any man;" replied Col. Garfield; ''it is too 
perilous a journey for that. It must be a man Avho is entirely 
willing to risk his life for his country, even when not in strict 
obedience to orders. Only in the case of such a man could I be 
sure that he possessed the courage and endurance necessary to 
make the mission a success." 

" I'm willin' tcr do my sheer, cunnel," said the private, earn- 
estly ; "it's on the Lord's side, and I don't drive no bargains 
with Ilim. My life ain't mine ; its His'n ; an' if He wants it ter 
help the kentry along, I ain't the man to say no." 

" You moan you don't expect to come out of the war alive?" 




ispatc 



iearer. 



107 



" That's it, cnnnel." 
"Will you die before j^ou will let the dispatch be taken from 
you?" 

" I'll die sooner'n furgit what I ought ter do." 
"Very well ; you must have a carbine, a pair of revolvers, and 
the best horse we can find in either regiment. Come back here 
at dark ready to start, and I will give you the dispatch. Your 
own colonel will see that you are armed and mounted." 

The dispatch was written on tissue paper, which was then rolled 
into the form of a bullet, and coated with warm lead. When the 
scout again reported to Col. Garfield, accoutered as directed, he 
was given this sham bullet,with the repetition of cautions and in- 
junctions. The short midwinter day (it was in December, 1861) had 
drawn to a close, but the night was a bright moonlight one. It 
was necessary then to wait until the moon should set. The pro- 
gramme was for him to journey by night and rest by day, either 
in the woods or in the house of some loyal man. Not a ray illum- 
ed the night when he set out. 

"I know the road well, cunnel," he assured his sujDcrior, hav- 
ing by this time gained sufiieicnt confidence to speak out his 
meaning; don't be afeared of my gittin' lost; I've druv mules to 
market at Paris many a time." 

All night long he rode through the darkness as unerringly a])- 
proaching his destination as if the sun had shone with full glory. 
When dawn came, he had covered about twenty miles, though he 
had not yet reached his proposed resting-place, the house of a 
friend. At last it was within sight ; and tethering his horse in 
the woods, lest his friend's stable might be searched, he presented 
himself at the door of the humble log-cabin. 

" Kin you let nie stay here all day, Rachel ?" " he asked of the 
mistress of this dwelling, who presented herself at the door. 

" Sartin, John, ye kin stay's long's ye want ter." 

" I've been a ridin' all night, an' I'm kinder tired." 

" Hain't ye had no breakfus?" 

"No." 

" Then jest set right down thar an' I'll fry ye some bacon and 
make ye some egg-bread in no time ; an' then ye kin go up stairs 
an' take a snooze." 

The busj^ housewife bustled about, and true to her promise, soon 
had the meal prepared. 

"Thar's lots of Secesh about," she observed, as he drank his 



108 Garfield's Dispatch Bearer. 

coffee and ate the homely viands; "air you putty strong?" 

"No, I'm alone — I'm carryin' dispatches fur Gunnel G-arfield." 

He sank his voice almost to a whisper, and glanced cautiously 
about him as he revealed his errand. 

" Sakes alive ! What 'ud you do ef they was to git after you 
now ?" 

" Run fur it, I reckon," replied the scout, smiling at her fears. 

" The woods is a quarter of a mile away — how'd you ever git 
over the clearin' 'thout being shot ?" 

" If I couldn't run, I could sell my life putty dear," he mutter- 
ed. 

" An' Jake's away, an' thar ain't a soul on the place but me an' 

old Pomp and the critters." 

"Never mind that, but let me rest now; I must be in the sad- 
dle again as soon as night comes." 

She conducted him to the upper chamber, which was really no 
more than an attic, extending over both the rooms on the first 
floor. Here she left him to his slumbers, and hastened down to 
find Pomp — old, black, ignorant, but faithful as a dog to his mis- 
tress. Mounting him on a mule, she sent him to scour the sur- 
rounding country — Pomp was " on a scout." 

The morning tasks were done, and while the messenger slept, 
Eachel sat by the fireside, knitting at a coarse blue yarn sock "for 
the soldiers" — and waiting for the return of her emissary. It 
was noon before he came. 

" Dey's comin', Miss Eachel! he cried, as he climbed down 
from his panting long-eared steed;" 'bout twenty or maybe a 
hundred Secesh — jest down thar by the wood-paster — ridin' like 
dey was 'feared o' blacksnakes !" 

Many an officer found during the war that the negroes, as a 
class, had no accurate idea of number ; but Pomp's estimate, 
though allowing such a wide margin for conjecture, was suflfic- 
iently to be relied upon to alarm his mistress. Darting into the 
cabin, she slammed and barred the door in the astonished dar- 
key's very face; and hastened to the upper story. 

"Hurry!" she cried, awakening the scout; "the Secesh is 
comin'. Jump from the window and run to the woods. They're 
comin' the other way." 

" How many ?" he demanded. 

" Twenty. Hurry, they'll be here in a minit. Go, or yer'll 
be tuck, sure." 



Garfield's Dispatch Bearer. 109 

" Rachel," he said, looking gravely down upon her, "tain't 
much matter what becomes of me ; I ain't but one man, an' thar's 
lots more. But every state means thousands of men, an' this" — 
holding up the sham bullet — "this means Kaintuck." 

The terrified woman could only wring her hands and looked 
a mute appeal, glancing first at the window, then at the ladder 
where she half expected to see the *'Secesh" entering the room. 

" Ef yer love yer home, Rachel, and Kaintuck, and yer kentry 
— yes, an' ef yer love God and the cause, will you take keer o' 
this?" 

" Yes, 3'es, only go." 

" Will yer swar to do it, an' ter git it ter Gunnel Cranor ef I 
don't come back agin fur it?" 

"I swar it," she replied, looking at the ladder. 

." Take it, then ; maybe I'll come back fur it to-night, but if I 
can't — that's ef I'm killed — you'll take it — " 

" There they are!" she cried, sharply, as the horses' hoofs were 
heard in the door-yard ; "oh, what fur did j'er stop fur any- 
thin'?" 

"I had to," replied the scout, briefly -, " go ye to the door and 
see who 'tis." 

She descended obedientlj^, and standing bythc still barred door, 
demanded: 

"What ye want?" 

"John Jordan, from the head of Baine," was the reply. 

No answer was given, but Rachel looked anxiously at her 
guest. 

" Hurry, will ye ?" came the voice, againj "we know he's here; 
he came from Garfield's camp, an' got here at sun-up this 
mornin'." 

"John Jordan, from the head o' Baine," replied the scout, 
" ain't ter be had fur the axin,' so ye kin jest go 'way as ye 
come." 

" Surrender at once ! " cried a stern voice without. "It's too 
cold a morning to stand waiting here." 

" Ye'U not complain of the cold in the place whar I'll send ye 
if ye don't go 'way," retorted the man within. 

"Just give us that dispatch, and we won't trouble you." 

"An' s'posin' I don't?" 

"We'll swing you up to the nearest limb that's strong enough 
to bear you." 



110 Garfield's Dispatch Bearer. 

How had the Confederates discovered his arrival at this se- 
cluded cabin ? How did they know that he was the bearer of a 
dispatch? There were many traitors in those days — not the 
men who fought for what they honestly believed was their right, 
but men who deliberately swore allegiance to one government, 
in order to obtain its secrets for the other. Spies are, of course, 
necessary; but we cannot wonder at the fate which the laws of 
war prescribe for him who is discovered by the enemy. 

''Will you surrender?" again came the demand from without. 

"My life, yes; thet's mine — an' I'll trade it fur six o' your'n ; 
but I hain't got nothin' else 'at b'longs to me." 

*' Fire the house !" cried one. 

"Can't smoke him out," returned another; " 'taint in him; 
an' we'll lose the dispatch that-a-way." 

The resolute man within could hear the murmur of their 
voices as they made various plans for capturing the wished-for 
dispatch; but not a word could be distinguished. Rachel, gath- 
ering courage from his composure, waited breathlessly for fur- 
ther developments. At last she could stand it no longer. 

"I'll go up stairs," she whispered, "an' see what they're do- 
in.' I kin tell thar." 

The cabin had been built after the Aishion of old times, when 
reconnoisance was often necessary before unbarring the door. 
The floor of the loft projected over the walls of the lower story, 
so that, by peering through the chinks purposely left, she could 
see what took place in the yard beneath without the slightest 
exposure to the eye of the enemy. Perhaps in that very spot 
the brave wife of a pioneer had once knelt to see the movements 
of the dusky savages of the surrounding forest. 

She saw them gathered in a group at a short distance from the 
door — an officer with a score of men. Earnestly they talked, 
keeping a close watch over the house meanwhile. Then she saw 
that their plans had been made, for they separated. A dozen or 
so were posted as guards about the house, while the others, dis- 
mounted, proceeded to the woods a quarter of a mile from the 
house. From the window Rachel could see the movements of 
the latter group. Hastily she descended. 

"They're cuttin' a saplin' to batter the door down with," she 
whispered excitedly ; oh, what Avill you do ?" 

"How're they posted around the house?" 

"Thar's two here at the door, an' the others most anywhar." 



Garfield's Dispatch Bearer. Ill 

"Ef I cud scare the critters of these here two at the door, I 
might run to the barn, an' then to the woods; it's a slim chance, 
though," mused the scout. 

"But the others are thar, John ; what about them ?" 

"They'd have ter make their horses leap the fence, an' maybe 
the brutes wouldn't do it. It's a slim chance, but thar ain't no 
other. Maybe I'll come back to-night. Ef I don't, remember 
that Gunnel Cranor must hev that bullet. Hev ye got a red 
shawl, or anything of the kind?" 

" Anj'thing bright do ?" 

" Yes ; only be quick." 

She produced from her homely store of clothing, a gorgeous 
red and yellow striped petticoat, a garment worthy of the Pied 
Piper's wife, had he been a Benedict. 

"Now open the door suddenly, so as to surprise them," he 
whispered, posting himself where he could spring out at once, 
and grasping the skirt with his extended hands. 

She obeyed, and, as she suddenly flung open the door, the 
scout sprang forward. As he had foreseen, the horses reared 
and plunged, frightened into utter unmanageableness by the 
strange figure. Yainly their riders strove to control them ; the 
scout had so far succeeded. In less time than it takes to tell it, 
he had cleared the fence which divided the door-yard from that 
surrounding the barn, and had reached the barrier at the far end 
of the latter enclosure. But his enemies were not lacking in 
A'igilance. The two at the door were unable to manage their 
horses, but there were ten besides, and these rode after him. 
The hot breath of the foremost horse fanned his cheek as he put 
his foot on the fence-rail ; and the rider, stooping from his sad- 
dle, grasped the collar of his blouse. Turning suddenly, he 
placed the muzzle of his revolver almost against the grayjacket 
of his enemy, and pulled the trigger; instantly he fired again, 
this time at the horse of the next nearest pursuer. Hardly had 
the dead Eeb fallen from his saddle before he was over the 
fence; and he was far on the road to the woods before the other 
had disengaged himself from under his horse. 

Once safe within that wilderness of undergrowth, not the whole 
Confederate Army could have found him in a day's search, unless 
by the merest chance. He was secure for a time; but for how long, 
was a question not easily solved. The enraged Confederates 
could only return to the house with the body of their comrade. 



112 Garfield's Dispatch Bearer. 

" We'll pay this back with interest/' they threatened, with set 
teeth; "and we'd burn this house over your head if it wasn't for 
your husband's loyalty. What do you suppose he'll say of your 
work to-day?" 

For Rachel's husband was not, like Jordan, an open supporter 
of his opinions; formally enlisted in the Confederate army, these 
men did not know, as she did, that he was a traitor to the South, 
as one of their number was to the North. 

Rachel Brown could only listen submissively and in silence. 
She could not afford to provoke them, for was not the precious 
bullet hidden in her bosom at that very moment? Surely they 
would leave her alone verj^ soon ; and at dark the scout would 
return, and claim his own again. But they would be likely to 
watch the house, even if no visible guard were set. How should 
she communicate with John Jordan ?" 

Meanwhile the Federal, lying concealed in the laurel thickets, 
had determined to call her as soon as it should be safe to do so. 
Night came on, dark and drizzly ; the keenest eye could scarce- 
ly distinguish objects two yards away. Little good, then, would 
any covert watching of the house do the Confederates. 

Would Jordan dare come to the house ? Hardly — but what was 
that ? Ah, it was only the hooting of an owl in the woods. Pomp 
had gone to bed in his own little cabin, and was sleeping the 
sleep of the just; she was alone — listen ! It is the owls again ! 
Were they ever so noisy ? 

But if it is only the owl's voice which she hears, why does she 
wrap herself in a dark shawl and go out into the blackness of the 
night? Surely she is not expecting to find the scout in the dark- 
ness, when the Rebs have given up the search in daylight? The 
hooting continues, and she bends her steps directly towards the 
point from which the sound appears to come. Now, having 
reached the woods, and being close to the bush on which the owl 
appears to be seated, she stoops and whispers: 

" They're a layin' in wait for you along the short road — take 
the other." 

" Grod bless you, Rachel," responds the quondam owl ; " you 
are His angel, I guess — the messenger He sends me." 

And the hooting was heard again, for any cessation might be- 
tray them. 

"Here's the bullet, an' here's suthin' to eat. Is yer critter all 
right?" 



Garfield's Dispatch Bearer. 



113 



" Good fur forty miles afore sun-up. God bless you, again, Ea- 
chel, and good-bye. Who, W/io, Who!" 

And the woman glided back to her home like a shadow, while 
the man, his precious bullet secured, mounted his horse and rode 
away through the dark- 
ness. The road which he 
must take was a strange 
one to him, and he could 
not, therefore, judge of the 
distance over which he 
passed; and although his 
steed was fresh and spirit- 
ed, the road was so full of 
slush that the animal could 
make but little progress 
compared with what might 
have been done on a hard 
road. Dawn came at last, 
with a damp, raw cold, 
which seemed to chill him 
to the very heart. A heavy 
yellow fog overhung the 
earth, making it impossible 
to see anything distinctly. 
Farther he dared not go "Who! Who! Who!" The Feafherless (hoi. 
at present. He had long left behind him the sheltering laurel 
thickets, and was now in the midst of a grove where the trees 
stood far apart, leaving the snow white upon the ground. Teth- 
ering his horse, he made his way a good distance back out of 
sight of the animal, as cautiously as he could, so as to leave but 
few footprints in the snow, to a huge, walnut. Part of the way, 
to further mislead any one who might be passing, he adopted 
the old pioneer fashion, learned of the Indians, of walking 
backward. 

Perched in the crotch of the tree, he sat for two hours, waiting 
for the fog to lift j but still it hung over the landscape, almost as 
dense as ever. But long after he had eaten the breakfast with 
which Rachel's thoughtfulness had provided him, he heard the 
sound of hoofs, and after awhile discerned the dim and ghostly 
forms of a body of horsemen. 

They carried a lantern with them, and seemed engaged in 




114 



Garfield's Dispatch Bearer. 



searching for something that had been lost; but as they drew 
near enough for him to distinguish their %A''ords, he found that 
they were examining the road for some particular set of foot- 
prints. Here and there the hoofs had sunk in the slush, and 

left no trace J but in 



some places, it appear- 
ed, from their remarks, 
to bo clearly defined in 
the half-frozen mud, on 
those parts of the road 
where the snow had not 
lain. 

"I tell yon, ^ t a i n t 
here," said one; ''he's 
tuck the other road. I'll 
bet on it." 

•■' 'Taint so, nuther," 
returned a comrade, sulk- 
ily; "here's the pi'int 
again, plain as the nose 
on yer face?" 

" Sure 'nough, thar's 
the print of the cork 
that some Yankee smart 
Aleck put in ter ease the 
sand-cracko Gol durn 5"er 
skin, what'r yer doin' ?" 

"My foot slipped, — 
thet's what I'm doin'; 
l)nt I'll hev yer to know 
I don't pcrpose to stand 
any sech talk. Ef yer 





»iii;ii,iiiiiiiiiaaMii 



Trml l',„t Ant Cnnihf Yrf. 



can't " 

" Gentlemen, gentlemen," interposed another voice, " this is 
no time for quarreling among ourselves. We are evidently 
wrong in following this road, for I see no hoof-prints with the 
mark of the cork. He has taken the other road, and we shall 
have to go back to the fork." 

The scout's heart had beaten fast when he heard the trooper 
speak of the peculiarity in his horse's foot-print; for, as the 
Confederate bad judged, the animal did have one foot sana- 



GarfidiVs Dispatch Bearer. 115 

cracked, and a cork in the middle of the quarter had eased the 
strain. He wedged the precious bullet tightly in the crotch of 
the tree, and tucked a dry leaf over it; then drew and cocked 
his revolver. 

" They shan't git the dispatch, nohow," he told himself, as 
with set teeth he awaited their coming. 

But he was too far from the road to be discerned through the 
fog, and having finally come to the conclusion that their officer 
was in the right, that there was no trace of him to be found along 
this road, they mounted and returned to the fork, three miles 
away, there to follow the other branch. The scout, as soon as 
they were out of hearing, repossessed himself of the dispatch 
and rode away in hot haste. No one knew how soon they might 
conclude that after all the probabilities Avere in favor of the 
road which they had so lately given up, and return to prosecute 
their search. His horse was nearly worn out, having traveled at 
full speed over a difficult country nearly the whole of the long- 
winter night; but, by merciless urging, he got onward. He was 
riding now "ter save Kaintuck;" and if he spared not his own 
life, was he likely to spare the animal that he bestrode? 

Onward he rode through mist and fog, into he knew not what 
perils; but there was certain danger behind him, or even in de- 
lay. Five miles from his resting-place of the morning was the 
dwelling of a Union man, to whom he applied for another 
horse, offering to trade, and urging the necessity of the case. 

'* Wal, now," replied the stranger, taking a critical survey of 
the proffered animal: *'I ain't achin' to trade, fur 'twould be 
jest a clear case of cheatin' Uncle Sam. Don't you trade that 
horse off; 'taint got a dozen equals in Kaintuck ; but I'll lend 
you one, and take keer o' this till you come back this way agin." 

The scout's face had fallen when this oration began, but 
brightened visibly toward the close. 

" Let me have your best horse, then, right away, and ma}' God 
bless you fur helpin' ter save Kaintuck." 

" Won't yer wait awhile ? The old woman '11 git yer some 
breakfus.' " 

" No, I've no time ; it's eleven o'clock now. I must be on the 
road." - 

The horse was saddled and brought out. The scout mounted 
and spurred away. Forty miles there were yet to ride, and he 
must keep straight to the mark. Twelve weary hours he urged 



116 Garfield* s Dispatch Bearer. 

the good steed onward before the lights of Paris were seen, a 
faint red glimmer on the horizon. In many a home that night 
there was mirth and music, in spite of the war which was to send 
mourning into thousands of them. The echoes of the church- 
bells, telling of peace upon earth, had scarcely died awayj but 
still through the winter night the scout rode onward, his ears 
strained to catch any sound which might betoken an approach 
of his pursuers, his eyes fixed eagerly upon the constantly 
brightening lights of Paris. 

Another hour, and he rode up to Col. Cranor's headquarters 
and delivered the dispatch. By daylight the column was on the 
march, and the necessary orders forwarded to Stamford. 

But the messenger was to return as he had come — alone. He 
waited until nightfall, then began his journe}', arriving early the 
next morning at the house of the honest patriot who had refused 
to trade horses. Here he rested during the day, setting off at 
nightfall on his own thoroughbred, fresh and full of spirits. 

But his dangers were not yet over. Midnight found him riding 
at a fast trot over a road now frozen hard. But surely there is 
something beside yonder trees that in summer overshadow the 
highway; surely the gleam of the starlight falls on something 
beside ice-covered branches. As he rides onward, peering about 
him, from behind each tree steps a confederate, aiming directly at 
him. They form a long avenue, a score or more on each side. He 
cannot hope to pass them ; so much he grasps in an instant; and 
is as quick to see the only possibility of escape. Wheeling his 
horse on his hind legs as on a pivot, he drives in his spurs, bonds 
close on the neck of the steed and dashes away. Instantly forty 
shots ring out upon the clear and frosty air; forty shots, aimed 
by the most expert marksmen of Kentucky, but aimed at afljnng 
shadow. Not one strikes the man ; but he falls to the ground, 
for his horse has been killed. Leaping to his feet, he runs at his 
utmost Speed, and in a few minutes is well within the shelter of 
such laurel thickets as those from which the owl called to Rachel 
Brown. 

In their recesses he was safe, as long as he lay quiet. How 
close a guard they kept upon the road, he did not know, but, af- 
ter two days, hunger and cold compelled him to venture out. He 
did not again take to the road — being on foot, he thought it safe- 
estto keep to the woods — and sought out the humble shanty of a 
negro. Here he found refreshment and opportunity for rest; 



GarfiehVs Dispatch Bearer. 



11' 



and here, at nightfall, when it was again comparatively safe for 
him to go on, he found a guide to the stable of a wealthy South- 
ern man of the neighborhood. When in the morning it was dis- 
covered that the best of his horses was gone, the owner prob- 
ably regretted deeply that he had not offered it to the cause 
which he professed to support. 

Being now mounted again, he found it was even yet no easy 
matter to escape the vigilance of the enemj-. More than once he 






-^-(.' 



TJte Steed, but not the Miai. 



ijsL-/::^^^^^ 



lay concealed within hearing of their search, but as often escaped. 
It was at midniglit on the 6th of January (he had started at the 
same hour on the 24th of December) that he rode into Louisa and 
sought Col. Grarficld's headquarters. The officer had given orders 
that John Jordan was to be brought to him at once, no matter 
what the time. It was at his bedside then that the report was 
made. 

''Have you seen Cranor?" he asked, eagerly. 

"Yes, Gunnel, an' I reckon he'll be here in about two daj^s." 

" You are a brave and faithful soldier, Jordan," returned Gar- 
field, " and you have done us a great service."' 

" Thank you, Gunnel," replied the scout, something in his 
throat seeming to choke him ; " thet pays me fur all." 



118 Garfield's Dispatrh Bearer. 

Three days later Garfield attacked Marshall ; Cranor's men 
came up, and though footsore and weary from the long march, 
not too tired to figlit for the Union. The result was the Union 
victory of Middle Creek ; Col. Garfield, who, to use the Presi- 
dent's words, " had done in two weeks what a regular army offi- 
cer could not have accomplished in less than two months," was 
commissioned a brigadier-general; and John Jordan — well, he 
felt that he had helped "to save Kaintuck," and went down a 
few months later to a bloody grave, unmarked, among his native 
hills. No man knows where he sleeps ; he was only a jirivate. 



jIShaptef^ )i. 



THE GREAT RAILWAY RAID. 

The Georgia State Eailroad — The Baclcbone of the Confederacj- — Going South — 
Twenty Minutes for Breakfast — An Unlooked-for Interruption — A Ridiculous 
Eace — Cutting the Telegraph Wire — Beauregard's Powder — A Dangerous Delay 
—The Reason For It— A Fatal Mistake— First Signs of Pursuit— The Race 
Explained — Leaping Over the Obstructions — The Impossible is Done — Unsuc- 
cessful Ruses — A New Danger — A Ray of Hope — The Engineer's Plan — The 
Captain's — The Pursuit on Foot — Captured — Esca]3e of Captain Andrews — Re- 
capture — His Fate — Fate of His Companions — A Daring Escape — The Presi- 
dent's Praise — The Missing. 

AS long as the Greorgia State Eailroad, extending from At- 
lanta to Chattanooga, Tennessee, was in successful work- 
ing order, there would be but little hope of ending the war in a 
manner acceptable to the Northern states. It was "the back- 
bone of the Confederacy;" the means of transporting supplies 
of all kinds to the Southern army; and many a Federal com- 
mander studied to cut off communication by this route. There 
are thirteen bridges on the line of the road, and, were these 
once burned, the desired end would be accomplished ; but itwas 
an undertaking requiring such a combination of address and 
courage that only a party of volunteers could hope to succeed. 
Nor must the leader be an ordinary man. Many an officer rack- 
ed his brain to think how and by whom it could be done, but up 
to the spring of 1862 no one had done more. 

The importance of the undertaking was fully recognized by 
every man in the army, but there had been no actual call for vol- 
unteers when Capt. J. J. Andrews offered his services for the pur- 
pose. Just at this time, it was doubly important that such a step 
should be taken, for Gen. Mitchel was advancing upon Chatta- 
nooga, which would fall an easy prey if no succor could be sent 

119 



120 The Great Railway Baid. 

from Atlanta. Incited by his example, twenty-one men volun- 
teered to follow where he should lead them; and the profi'er 
was gladly accepted by the officer in command. 

The whole expedition was most carefully planned ; every link 
must be perfect, for on that chain of events hung their lives, 
nay, more — the success of the campaign. There must be no 
repetition of the old story — "For want of a nail, the shoe was 
lost." Doffing their uniforms, they assumed the ordinary dress 
of the country through which they were to make their way, and, 
clad mostly in " butternut" jeans of various shades and qual- 
ities, in garments of many different styles, they set out. Of 
course so large a body would have excited suspicion, so some- 
times singly, in some instances in squads of three or four, they 
pressed on to Atlanta. They were provided with a ready answer 
to all questions as to whence they came, and why and whither 
they were going. 

''Came from Kaintuck. Got kind er' tired of the Lincoln 
style of doin' things, and thought I'd come South and join the 
army. Many of our troops in the neighborhood ?" 

It may readily be guessed that "our troops" did not mean 
the army to which the questioner belonged j but the reason for 
leaving Kentucky, and the inquiry were sufficient to ward off all 
suspicion ; and their only difficulty was to escape from the gar- 
rulity of the Southerner. 

It was the 10th of April, 1S62, when they met at the rendez- 
vous appointed by Gen. Mitchel, a grove near Atlanta. The 
more completely to disarm suspicion, they were to separate 
again, and take the train at different points j most of them leav- 
ing at Atlanta, and the last one becoming a passenger at Mari- 
etta. All were to find seats in the forward car, and, of course, 
to treat the others of the party as entire strangers. The follow- 
ing morning, Saturday, was fixed as the time. 

So well had their plans been laid that not an eye had pene- 
trated their disguise. Marietta was but a few miles behind them 
when the train stopped at Big Shanty, and the familiar announce- 
ment: " Twenty minutes for breakfast!" greeted the ears of the 
hungry passengers. There were many who did not leave the 
cars J here a party of ladies and children had brought a goodly 
supply of luncheon; there, an early riser had breakfaste^l before 
leaving Atlanta, twenty-eight miles away. Nobody thought it 
strange, then, that some of the men in the forward car should 



The Great Railway Eaid. 121 

retain their seals, or lunch, like the rest of the travelers. 

The manager of the railroad machine shops was on board the 
train, and he, with the engineer and the conductor, Capt. Fuller, 
made one of the numerous groups at the long table in the build- 
ding which gave its name to the station. Every one had just 
fairly settled himself to secure as much as he wished in the short- 
est possible time, when Captain Andrews arose and walked out 
of the car. There was no obstruction j everything fell in with 
their plans. Hastening back, he entered the rear door of the 
car in which his men were seated, and walked slowly up the 
aisle. It was the appointed signal, and the twenty-one men 
were too alert and eager for the work to miss it. !N^ot a moment 
was lost. Each one knew what place, what duty had been as- 
signed to him. Following the officer, they reached the fore- 
most box-car, but not until one, detailed for the purpose, had 
quickly withdrawn a coupling pin, leaving but three freight cars 
attached to the locomotive and tender. The passenger coaches 
were to be left where they were. Four of them, Capt. Andrews, 
W. W. Brown, William Knight and Alfred Wilson, mounted the 
engine j two, who were to act as brakemen, climbed to the top 
of the box cars, and threw themselves flat; the remaining six- 
teen entered the foremost freight cars. 

The camp-guards, just aroused from their lethargy, looked 
curiously on, but did not realize that auything was wrong, un- 
til, at a word from Andrews, Knight jerked open the steam valve 
and the locomotive moved off. 

" And then and there was hurrying to and fro ;" 
for every one was anxious to find out what had been done, 
and how any further evil could be prevented. The alarm was 
given to the officers of the train, and with quick energy, Capt. 
Fuller rushed from the eating saloon, and shouting, '^Come on !" 
to his companions, leaped from the platform to the road-bed. 

" What's he going to do!" queried the puzzled bystanders; 
and as they saw the three men run after the engine, a shout of 
derision went up. It was echoed by the party who had captured 
the locomotive, as, when rounding the first curve, they saw this 
seemingly ridiculous effort at pursuit. 

Sixteen miles an hour was the schedule time of the train, hut 
for some minutes this was much exceeded. The pedestrians 
were, of course, easily distanced; but there was a messenger 
swifter than steam, and if that were once in chase, all miprht 



122 



The Great Railway Raid. 



still have been lost. There was no telegraph station at Big 
Shanty, but they did not know how soon these panting runners 
might reach one, or whether there might not be an instrument 
which could be attached in such an emergency. But at such a 
distance must the wires be cut, that there would bene possi- 
bility of the point being reached, until they should have had time 
to cut the wire in another place. Onward at full speed then 
they went, until the sudden announcement that the steam was low, 
and good time could not be made. A rest of three minutes was 
sufficient to get the locomotive into first-class running order, 
and, once more they dashed onward with renewed speed. 

Only for a few miles, 

however, and again the 
engine slowed up. John 
Scott, lithe and active, 
scrambles up the tele- 
graph pole, and knock- 
ing off the insulating 
box, swings himself to 
the ground by the wire. 
Such damage might 
easily be repaired, but 
no wire can be obtained 
to replace a piece taken 
out nearer than Atlanta. 
Fortunately a small saw 
was found on the engine, 
and while some occu- 
pied themselves in saw- 




Gutting the Telegraph Wires. 



ing out a piece of wire several yards in length — ample for their 
purpose — others, with a smooth iron bar, which was the only tool 
at hand, pried some of the spikes from a rail, wrenched it from 
its place, and laid it with all the other obstructions near by, 
across the track. Of course, time was thus lost, but it was not val- 
uable, for, until a certain irregular train had passed, they must 
keep to the schedule, and they had gained on this by shortening 
the stoppage at Big Shanty, and by their rapid run to this point. 
"I guess we've got ahead of the lightning this time," remarked 
one, as, with the wire in his hand, he followed his comrades into 
the box car. "If they do find out where it's cut, they'll have 
to go back to Atlanta for a piece to mend it with." 



The Great Railioay Raid. 123 

So carefully had they investigated the condition of the road, 
that they knew the company had no engine between Atlanta and 
Kingston, sixty miles apart. But, though it seemed unnecessary 
to put more obstructions on the road, when they had such odds 
in their favor, there was ano her stoppage made for tliat pur- 
pose. Indeed, it seemed that everything was going according 
to their wishes; they had been assured that the chief difficulty 
would be to obtain possession of the locomotive; that if that 
were once done, success would be certain ; and not a single acci- 
dent had happened ; had it been a pleasure excursion, there could 
have been no smoother course. There war no fear, then, of be- 
ing overtaken, when they stopped at Cass Station for wood and 
water. 

"What train's this yere !" asked the tank-tender, looking sus- 
piciously at the three freight cars without any passenger coaches 
attached. " Tain't Fuller's, is it ?" 

''No," answered Andrews, readily, " I'm running a lot of pow- 
der through to Gen. Beauregard at Corinth. Got to hurry up, 
too; he wants it mighty bad. Eeckon Fuller '11 be along in a 
little while. His train ain't quite due yet. Can you get me a 
time schedule of the road ?" 

"Eeckon I kin, if I try right hard. Much powder aboard ?" 

"Eight smart," answered the disguised soldier, and in a mo- 
ment more the train was on her way again, provided with a 
complete time schedule of the road. 

Kingston, thirty-two miles from Atlanta, was reached, and here 
a telegram from the northern part of the road bade " Fuller's 
train " wait for the down freight, which Andrews had fully ex- 
pected to find waiting for him. Inwardly chafing at the delay, 
he could only draw off to a side track and wait for the train 
that was already over-due. 

"'Pears like you're in a mighty big hurry, " said the station- 
master, discerning his impatience, 

" I am," answered Andrews, thus encouraged to cast away 
disguise. " For I've got a lot of powder that Gen. Beauregard 
is in a hurry for." 

" Pretty risky takin' it over the road now, ain't it?" 

" Why should it be any riskier now than at any other time ?" 
asked the cajitain, preparin<5 to remount his engine, as he saw 
the delayed freight train approaching. 

The long line of cars rumbled by, and the station master 



124 TJie Great Railway Baid. 

pointed to a red flag on the hindmost, as it disappeared from view. 

*' Know what that means ?" 

" Yes ; it means there's another train to come," was the re- 
ply, given from a sinking heart. 

" And there's another behind that. You see, that d — d Yank, 
Mitchel, is coming down on Chattanooga like a thousand o' 
brick; providin', of course, he kin gitthar; and all the rollin' 
stock's been ordered to Atlanta." 

" I didn't expect to meet them here," answered Andrews, 
coolly," "I've got to get through before Mitchel gets to Chatta- 
nooga." 

" You'll have to hurry up, then," was the suggestion. 

"I intend to," was the reply, with unmistakable emphasis. 

After a delay of twenty -five minutes, the last car of the third 
train rolled by, and the track was clear. Onward, at a frightful 
rate, plunged the engine, as if the very metal knew what the 
men directing its course would have. The extra train, so much 
dreaded, had passed close in the wake of the freights ; there was 
another (passenger) train to be met at Adairsville, ten miles 
from Kingston, but finding this behind time, Andrews decided 
to take the risk of collision, and dashed on towards Calhoun, 
ten miles further. Just as they neared the station, the belated 
train was seen approaching; but the stranger backed and gave 
the road to the " special powder train." 

They had passed the bridge over the Etowah without destroy- 
ing it, because they thought at that point in the race the imme- 
diate gain of time was the most important thing; but now they 
were approaching one which must be burned; now they were 
about to commence the work for which they had volunteered. 
Any moment might bring the Ostenaula River in sight, and 
with the long bridge which spanned that stream destroyed be- 
hind them, there need be no fear of failure. But all possible 
precautions must be taken ; there were engines at Kingston, 
they knew ; it was barely possible that a telegraphic despatch 
might have been sent around a wide circuit of two thousand miles, 
to send in pursuit one of the trains they had just passed. So a rail 
must be torn up ; this would give them time, even in such a case, 
to burn this bridge. Again the wire, that, for all they knew, 
was even then transmitting their bevrayal, must be severed ; and 
Avhile this was being accomplished by some, others wrenched 
some of the huge spikes from their rusted places, and endeavoi'- 



126 



The Great Railway Raid. 




The Great Railway Raid. 127 

ed to pull it loose j for their haste was too great to give them 
time for removing all the fastenings. 

But as they worked with feverish energy, there was heard a 
sound more terrible than the growl of a tiger in his native jun- 
gle — the whistle of a locomotive behind them. The noise lent 
new strength to their muscles, and the rail, only half loosened, 
snapped like a dry twig. Losing their hold thus suddenly, the 
wreckers were precipitated down the embankment; but it was 
no time to think of small disasters, and gathering themselves up 
hastily, they scrambled into the train again. Their only chance, 
now, was to get the bridge to burning well before the pursuers 
could pass the gap in the track. 

What train was it? Secure in his knowledge that there was 
no engine between Kingston and Atlanta, Andrews felt that it 
must be one of those that they had just passed, and was puzzled 
to account for the pursuit. Had the long telegraphic circle real- 
ly been made? But the disclosure made at Kingston about the 
freight-trains reassured them ; there could be few, if any, en- 
gines between them and Chattanooga, and this bridge burned — 
It is time for us to return to the three men whom we left run- 
ning after the locomotive as it took its flight from Big Shanty. 
Theirs was not so hopeless an undertaking as at first sight it ap- 
peared. Possessed of a much more intimate knowledge of the 
road, of course, than Capt. Andrews could command, Capt. Ful- 
ler knew that they might find a locomotive south of Kingston. 
True, the soldier had not been misinformed about the location 
of the company's engines, but from a point a short distance 
above Big Shanty there was a private track, some five miles in 
length, leading to some extensive iron mines and furnaces on 
the Etowah ; and on this branch line there was an engine be- 
longing to the owner of the mines. Of course Andrews could 
not know of the existence of this unimportant line, and had not, 
therefore, taken it into his calculations; otherwise, he would, 
at any risk, have burned the bridge over the Etowah. 

The three men had not run many hundred feet before they 
came to the place where the telegraph had been cut; and just 
beyond this point, they espied a hand-car. This was a most val- 
uable acquisition, for with it, by hard work, they could make 
seven or eight miles an hour ; and speed was the more necessary, 
as they could not tell where they should find the locomotive 
— whether at the main road or five miles from it, at the mines. 



128 The Great Hallway Maid. 

With perspiration streaming from their bodies they worked at 
the hand-car, and it went, as we may well believe, at the utmost 
speed of which such a machine is capable. So anxiously did 
they look far ahead, so resolutely did they work, that the sec- 
ond obstruction in the track was not perceived, and the whole 
party, with their car, were flung headlong from the track. Ko 
bones were broken, however, and lesser injuries were disregard- 
ed; the hand-car was soon lifted on the track, and in a few 
minutes more they had reached the junction of the two lines. 

Never was sight more welcome than that of the "Yonah," 
standing, fired up, on the main track, headed for Kingston. One 
wild, hoarse shout from the three throats showed that they 
were not yet exhausted, and they hastily mounted the engine ; 
the engineer readily giving place to the men urging the neces- 
sity of acting for the Grovernment. Onward to Kingston, then, 
they flew, congratulating themselves that they had arrived at 
that moment; for five minutes later, the locomotive would 
have left again for the mines. 

Kingston was reached, but there was no fugitive train in sight. 

Three long freights — the Yonah cannot pass, and there is no 
time to be lost. On a side track, joining the main one, beyond 
the freight trains, stood a small engine fired up, and although 
it is but weak and has very small wheels, it is better than the 
Yonah, because in a more available position. It was seized and 
urged onward at its utmost speed ; the fireplace was crammed with 
wood, and because it was too small to hold the fuel necessary 
for great speed, an abundance of oil was used. Onward, faster, 
faster still, until a keen eye discovered a break in the track ahead 
— a rail was gone. One could have been torn up from the track 
behind them and laid in the place before the engine, but that would 
have consumed too much time. Impatient to be going onward, 
it seemed better to go forward on foot, and risk finding another 
engine, than to lose so much time there. Again they run along 
the road, and at last the freight-train, which the raiders had 
passed at Adairsville, came thundering on. Taking command 
of this train at once. Fuller backed it rapidly to Adairsville, 
uncoupled the greater part of the cars, and, tender first, made 
the ten miles to Calhoun in twelve minutes. The Texas, the en- 
gine now in their possession, was one of the largest and fastest 
on the road, and the result was almost certain. 

At last the stolen locomotive was in sight, and almost as if 



The Great Railway Raid. 129 

she had been possessed of human joy, the Texas gives the Ion or 
scream of defiance which so startled Andrews' pai'ty. Onward 
she plunged in mad pursuit of her prey. But yonder, in the 
track before them, what was that? A blank, not the whole 
length of a rail, but still a blank that might prove fatal ! It was 
too late to stop the engine, at so fearful a rate were they going; 
"faster, faster," Fuller signaled to the engineer. Fortunately, it 
was on the inside of the track j if it had been on the outside 
nothing could have prevented the wreck of the pursuing train. 
As it was, the increased rate of speed sent the Texas, with a 
bound, over the blank. 

Onward dashed the foremost train, the men irf it congratulat- 
ing themselves upon the delay which the broken rail would oc- 
casion their pursuers. Still, they looked anxiously back. It 
was but a chance, after all, if they should succeed, and failure 
meant more than death; that chance was, whether it would take 
the enemy longer to replace the broken rail than it would take 
them to render the bridge impassable. 

"0 my God!" exclaimed the fireman. 

"What is it, "Wilson ?" asked the others, struck by his tone 
of dismay and astonishment. 

"Thej'^'re still in chase, " he replied, despairingly. 

"Impossible!" broke from their lips, as from one man, and 
they looked at each other for reassurance. Surely the enemy 
was not still in pursuit; he could not so soon have replaced the 
broken rail. 

" There's the smoke from their fire," he answered, pointing 

back. 

"And nearer, clearer, deadlier than before," 

the whistle of the Texas broke upon their ears. Had a mira- 
cle been wrought against them? How had that broken rail 
been passed ? 

There was yet a possibility of stopping them without losing 
much time in the flight. They were now upon a steep down 
grade, where it would be difficult to check so large and heavy 
an engine as that in pursuit; so in the hope of wrecking it, the 
hindmost of the box-cars was uncoupled and left on the track. 
It was but little more than the truck; the top and sides had been 
used as fuel; but they hoped it might serve to delay the enemy. 
It was a hope doomed to disappointment, for the Texas picked 
it up and steamed on in their wake, gaining on them every 



no The Great Raihcay Baid. 

minute. Again the ruse was tried, but again it failed of its ob- 
ject. Soon the bridge over the Ostenaula was visible — the 
bridge that was to be the first to be given to the flames, but so 
close were the pursuers that they dared not pause, even to burn 
it,. and they rushed on. 

The enemy must be delayed, and after they had gone a few 
miles further, they stopped and braced up a rail under a cross 
tie, with the projecting end down the road. It was a loss of time 
that could ill be spared, but at last it was done, and the flight 
continued. 

Again they had failed to produce the desired result; the Texas 
dashed onward, the small dark rail invisible to even the watch- 
ful eyes of the men upon her ; fortunately for them, the obstruc- 
tion was lightly cast aside by the cow-catcher, though a slight 
change in its position, a difference of an inch in height, might 
have thrown her from the track. As an eagle darts upon a falcon 
that holds in its beak a tempting morsel, the Texas seemed to 
swoop down, pitilessly, certainly, upon her prey. 

It was a strange sight that the wayside stations saw that day 
— a locomotive with a single truck attached, dashing onward 
like a flash, followed at equal speed by two longer trains; for 
two other engines with their attached cars had taken up the 
chase, and were close in the wake of the Texas. Was it a party 
of madmen on the first? The loungers on the platform could not 
tell, nor could they imagine a more reasonable explanation. Only 
the twenty-two Federal soldiers, crowded into the cab and the 
nearly empty tender, could tell certainly ; though Fuller and his 
companions might have given a shrewd guess. 

But a new element of danger was now to be considered : Dal- 
ton, twenty-two miles from Calhoun, was the junction of this 
line and another; of course they could not destroy telegraphic 
communication on both roads, or even seriously interrupt it; 
no matter which wire is cut, along the other will soon flash from 
the pursuers to their comrades north of them, the message of 
capture, failure, perhaps of death ! Looking back they conld 
see that their pursuers were armed to the teeth; the truck of 
what had once been the first box-car, the only one remaining, and 
the tender, afforded them no protection ; it was with a sick- 
ening sense of having committed some fatal errorthat they real- 
ized why no balls came whizzing past — their pursuers were cer- 
tain of taking them alive. 



The Great Railway Raid. 131 

There was no chance of accomplishing the end of their expe- 
dition by destroying the bridges on the road; they must go at 
full speed for their very lives. But one hope yet remained, the 
one car still attached to their engine had served them well in 
protecting the superfluous men from the curious scrutiny of the 
station masters and others with whom they had passed as hands 
of a powder train ; its top and sides were the only fuel yet remain- 
ing to them ; but it must do yet more. As they approach a long 
covered bridge, they slacken their speed; the car has already 
been set on fire, and just as they enter the bridge it is uncoupled. 
Carried onward by the impetus it has acquired, it reaches the 
middle of the bridge before it finally stops; and by that time 
the engine is once more dashing over the solid road beyond the 
stream. As they round the curve north of the bridge, they see 
the black smoke of the Texas approaching the entrance. One 
crash, and it will be over; the road hopelessly blocked, the pur- 
suers delayed, perhaps killed; the bridge, it may be, destroyed. 
They strain their ears to hear, above the noise of their own 
engine, that terrible sound which would be so welcome; but it 
does not come. The pursuers are as determined as the pursued ; 
there is no lack of skill in handling their engine, or in removing 
obstacles from the track; the blazing car is pushed before the 
locomotive until a side track is reached; then the road is clear ; 
and with redoubled energy the Texas bounds onward. 

More than a hundred miles had the exciting race continued 
and both engines were nearly exhausted. The foremost one, 
however, as will be remembered, had run further than the other; 
besides, she was smaller and weaker, less fit for such a run, and 
had been less carefully oiled. As the natural and inevitable re- 
sult of this lack of care, and her rapid rate of traveling, the 
brass on boxes and journals had actually melted, her tires were 
red-hot, and every joint was loose. She could hold out but a 
little while longer, and that only at a speed which would per- 
mit her to be easily overtaken. 

A hurried council of war was held by the men, whose smoke- 
blackened faces were stern with the shadow of defeat. 

""There's only three or four on that engine," suggested one, 
"and they seem to want to fight — all fixed for it. We could 
easily beat 'em ; it's five or six to one." 

" But what would be the use of that?" asked the leader, more 
than doubtfully, "we can't whip the whole Confederacy; and 



1B2 The Great Baihvay liaid. 

their engine must be pretty nigh as bad as this, so we could not 
get oflf on that. You must remember there's two others behind 
this first one." 

" Their engine ain't anything like as bad as ours," said the 
engineer; " and if we could get hold o' that one, we could run 
it back and wreck the second, and the third could pick up the 
pieces while we get off." 

But Capt. Andrews shook his head decidedly. 

"It can't be done," he said; " it's too big a risk; we'll have 
to leave the road and take to the woods — 'Every man for himself, 
and Grod for us all.' " 

The old, heartless, selfish proverb took a new meaning as this 
man spoke it; who knows but it was a prayer from the reckless, 
daring heart of the leader for those who had followed him into 
danger? 

The soldierly habit of obedience prevailed over the American 
habit of independent thought and action, and the engine was 
run yet a few miles further, to give them all as good a start 
as possible. They were now fifteen miles from Chattanooga. 
The locomotive slackened speed, but did not wholly stop; man 
after man jumped from it as it moved slowly onward through 
the pine woods, until but one man was left. The pursuers were 
four hundred yards behind when he reversed the engine, and 
following his comrades, disappeared in the vast and trackless for- 
est. Then the locomotive steamed backward, like the last mis- 
sile hurled by the hand of a dying man; but again their efforts 
to obstruct the pursuers' course failed, and the Texas stopped 
but a moment to pick up the engine, whose power was almost 
spent when it reached her. 

The flight through the woods was but a short one. Dismounting 
from the engine as soon as he saw what their plans were, Puller 
pressed- into service a sorry looking mule, the first steed that 
presented itself; and with a rope for a bridle, and no saddle, 
continued the pursuit; joined as he went on, by all the idlers in 
the neighborhood. 

As the story of the chase spread, men left every occupation 
to assist in the work of the government; and soldiers and citi- 
zens combined to hunt the poor fugitives. Such was the numeri- 
cal power of their pursuers, that Andrews and his scattered force 
would have had but little chance of escape, even if the advan- 
tage of a superior knowledge of the countrj had not been with 



134 



The Great Raihvay Raid. 




Ai 



The Great Baihvay Baid. 135 

the Tennesseeans. As it was, the odds were overwhelming. One 
after another was captured, until the whole party was in the 
hands of the Confederate authorities at Chattanooga, and lodged 
in the jail in that city. Here, handcuffed and chained together 
in groups of twos and threes, they lay for a week uncertain 
what was to be their doom. 

It came only too soon. Just a week had, 

" Like a wounded snake, dragged its slow length along," 
when Andrews was condemned to death. This was their first 
intimation that, although they had been engaged in a legitimate 
military enterprise, they were to be treated not as prisoners of 
war, but as spies. 

Capt. Andrews made a desperate effort to escape when he 
learned the sentence that had been passed upon him, and suc- 
ceeded in so far eluding the vigilance of his guards as to get be- 
yond the walls of the jail, beyond even the outskirts of the 
town. But the man who could plan and so nearly execute such a 
daring project was too dangerous a foe to be allowed to escape in 
this way; the whole garrison joined in the hunt, aided by those 
dreadful allies of the man-hunters, bloodhounds. Once on the 
track, the capture was but a question of time ; surely these hun- 
dreds could overtake the one half-starved fugitive, flying through 
a hostile country with which he was but imperfectly acquainted. 
The event soon proved that theirs was not a mistaken estimate; 
soon the bloodhounds were at his throat, only to be called off 
by the pursuers in human form. 

Torn and bleeding, and so heavily chained that he could 
hardly move the limbs, once so powerful, but now weakened 
by hunger and fatigue, he was taken back to Chattanooga. 
But there was danger that Gen. Mitchel might advance upon 
this point; so, "to make assurance doubly sure," he was 
taken to Atlanta for execution. Over the self-same road 
where, such a little while before, the exciting run had taken 
place ; then, leaving Atlanta with high hopes of rendering good 
and much-needed service to his country, now approaching it with 
the certainty of speedy death, in its most ignominous form; then, 
with a thought of the bride whose hand awaited him on his re- 
turn — a thought banished to make room for stern duty; now, 
with the knowledge that she would be widowed before she was 
a wife. But most of all, it was the form of death — the punish- 
ment of malefactors, the synonym of disgrace. 



136 The Great Mailway Raid. 

The people of Atlanta were gathered in solemn rejoicing 
about the scaffold. JSTo one under-estimated the force of the 
blow which the success of the expedition would have given the 
Confederacy, and yet, an eye-witness tells us : 

" There was perfect order j no jeers, no taunts, no unseemly 
behavior to mar the deep solemnity of the occasion." 

The joy of the people at the triumph of their cause grew 
silent, as they looked upon the brave soldier of the enemy, 
about to die. 

Farther we need not follow him. "We leave him in the sight 
of the scaffold, and return to those companions whom we left in 
the jail at Chattanooga. Twelve of them were in a short time 
removed to Knoxville, where a court-martial was to decide their 
fate; day after day the trial dragged on, the prisoners being 
tried singly. The same defense was offered for all; that if they 
were in citizens' dress, it was the same that the Confederate 
government had authorized the guerillas to wear; that they 
were sent for a purely military purpose, for the accomplishment 
of an object recognized as legitimate by the rules of war; that 
they should be treated, not as spies, but as prisoners of war. 

The defense was not accepted by the majority of the judges, 
and in military courts a unanimous verdict is not necessary to 
conviction or acquittal. Seven had been tried and condemned, 
when the rapid advance of Gen. Mitchel upon Chattanooga re- 
called to their regiments the officers composing the court-mar- 
tial. Hardly an hours' notice of their execution was given to 
the seven condemned men, before they were led to the scaffold, 
to die as their leader had died. 

"We would not care so much to be shot as soldiers, but to be 
hanged like dogs is a burning shame." 

Such was the protest offered by one ; he only spoke as Nathan 
Hale had spoken seventy-five years before, and with as little ef- 
fect upon his hearers. 

So uncertain were the fortunes of war, so rapid and perplex- 
ing the movements of Gen. Mitchel, that the fourteen who had 
not yet been tried were removed to the more secure prison at 
Atlanta. Here they found friends in the negroes employed 
about their place of confinement. As soon as the faithful crea- 
tures learned that the one thing most desired was news from the 
outer world, they contrived to smuggle newspapers in and out 
of the jail every day, by concealing them in the trays of food. 



The Great Bailway Raid. 137 

So the summer and autumn passed slowly by, until, one day, 
the provost-marshal informed them that he had received a letter 
from the Secretary of War at Richmond, asking why all of the 
" engine thieves" had not been hanged; that an order for their 
immediate execution would, in all probability, speedily follow. 
He was not mistaken. Replying that they awaited the orders 
of the Secretary, he speedily received instructions to execute 
them at once. 

Narrowly, during the long days that had preceded the exe- 
cution of this order, had they watched for a chance of escape, 
but in vain. So vigilant were their keepers that they dared not 
attempt it, for failure would entail worse treatment. However, 
there can be no punishment equal to death, and now that all 
hoj)e was gone, they determined to make one last, desperate ef- 
fort. Seizing and gagging their jailor, they wrenched the keys 
from his grasp and rushed down stairs. They came upon the 
guards before any alarm could be given, overpowered them by 
main force, and possessed themselves of their guns. 

Scaling the walls which surrounded the prison, they fled 
through the streets, past the scattered houses of the suburbs, 
into the woods. A regiment was speedily ordered out to pur- 
sue them, with orders to take them, dead or alive. 

The fugitives had no time for consultation ; they knew only 
that they must separate, for they were too few for defense, and 
yet enough to excite suspicion. Two pushed in a southerly di- 
rection, and after almost incredible adventures, reached the 
shores of the Gulf— the Star-Spangled Banner waved, before 
their eyes, over a U. S. gunboat; never to shivering, starving 
men, with bleeding feet and half-frozen limbs, flying from a dis- 
graceful death, did any sight appear so beautiful. 

Two went westward, hiding by day in the thick, moss-cover- 
ed trees, that even winter could not rob of their protecting 
power; and journeying with feverish haste by night until Cor- 
inth, then in the hands of the National troops, was safely 
reached. 

Two others made their way northward by slow and painful 
stages, having to contend with a greater degree of cold than 
their comrades, who did not leave the extreme South. For 
three weeks they journeyed on, not daring to leave their hiding 
places by any light but that of the stars; living upon roots 
found in the woods and raw sweet potatoes dug from the fields. 



138 The Great Railway Raid. 

save when some secret sympathizer with the Union would extend 
a trembling hand to help them. At last they reached a point in 
Kentucky which was held by the Federal forces, and were 
thence returned to their regiments, where they were received as 
if they had come from 

" That undiscovered country, from whose bourne 
No traveler returns." 

Six were recaptured, taken back to Atlanta, and thence to 
Eichmond. Why the sentence of death was not executed, we 
are not told ; perhaps the authorities, at first, determined to 
wait until all had been retaken, and then, as this proved a futile 
hope, forgot them. Many times their hearts beat high at 
the report that they were to be exchanged, until at last they 
came to disregard all such rumors. They had sunk into apathy 
when there came an order from headquarters directing that they 
be placed on a flag-of-truce boat the next morning, to be trans- 
ported, with others, to the Union lines, to be exchanged. The 
sullen calmness with which they had learned to endure life vanish- 
ed at once in a wild rejoicing. Soon they were once more safe- 
ly beneath the Stars and Stripes, that floated over the flag-of- 
truce boat. Honorable and aff'ectionate was the welcome that 
awaited them — they had earned it all; and when they saw the 
tall, gaunt form and homely, kindly face of the President, and 
heard his words of praise and gratitude, they could but think of 
the eight who lay in dishonored graves in the far South, whose 
fate they were yet to learn; and regret that all had not been 
there, to share in the reward. 

We have traced the fate of twenty — eight to the scaff'old, 
twelve to liberty again; and twenty-two hadvolunteeredfor the 
undertaking. The story of those two has never yet been told — 
their wanderings in the forest, their sufferings from hunger and 
cold, their hopes, their fears, their despair — nor will it be told 
until the sea gives up its dead, and from many a nameless and 
unknown grave shall then come forth their long-forgotten ten- 
ants. Perhaps long afterward, two whitened skeletons essayed 
to tell the tale to adv^enturous hunter or ])ioneer farmer, but in 
a land where war had lately been, he could not read it aright. 



A SOLITARY SCOUT. 

His Errand — In the Enemy's Country' — A Cordial Keception — A Mistaken Crowd — 
Cool Impudence — The Gunboats for Land Use — A Yankee Trick — Decidedly 
Brilliant — A Horse in Church — A Scared Justice — A Friendly Warning — 
Asleep in the Storm — In a New Role — The Guest of a Eegiment — An Unsuc- 
cessful Attempt — Pursued by Bloodhounds — Eunning Water — A Novel Bed — 
A Dusky Friend — A Eeast — A Horse and Buggy Impressed — Arrived in Style 
— Safe in Camp. 

COEPOEAL PIKE, of the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, was al- 
ready most favorably known to his superior officers by his 
scouting services, when, early in April, 1862, he was dispatched 
by Gen. Mitchel to Decatur, Alabama, to gather information 
regarding the strength of the enemy, and, if possible, to destroy 
the railroad bridge at that point. He went alone, as he would 
thus be liable to less suspicion, and would be better able to es- 
cape, if pursued, than if accompanied by a small force; while a 
large one was, of course, out of the question. 

His solitary ride was attended by no adventure, until he drew 
near Fayetteville, Tennessee. Night overtook him before he 
reached the town, and turning aside from the road he made him- 
self comfortable in the woods. Bright and early the next morn- 
ing he rode into Fayetteville. He had not attempted to disguise 
himself, and was in full blue uniform; but this was a dress often 
assumed by the Confederates, just as gray or butternut was don- 
ned by the Federals when occasion demanded. 

His boldness in riding up to the hotel and ordering breakfast 
for himself and suitable attention for his horse, made the crowd 
that speedily collected believe him a Confederate in disguise. 
Perceiving this, he determined to take advantage of it. Eeturn- 
ing to his room after having seen that his horse was cared for, 

139 



140 A Solitary Scout. 

he found about three hundred men on the sidewalk in front of 
the hotel. Hailing him as he approached, one asked: 

" "What is your name, sir ?" 

"James Pike." 

" Of what regiment ?" 

"Fourth Ohio Cavalry." 

The men in the crowd cast significant glances at each other, as 
much as to say that he had it all cut and dried, but couldn't fool 
them — no, sir. 

"Where is your command ?" inquired another. 

"AtShelbyville." 

"What are you doing here alone, then, so far from your regi- 
ment?" demanded a third. 

"Well, sir, if you must know it, I came to demand the sur- 
render of the town." 

As the cool impudence of the statement dawned upon them, 
the crowd indulged in a hearty laugh at the idea of one man's 
capturing a town like that, and from lip to lip passed the whis- 
per: 

" He must be one of Morgan's men." 

" O, of course he's not what he says he isj he wouldn't dare." 

He sat down to the breakfast table, at which several Confed- 
erate officers were regaling themselves, and made a hearty 
meal. Then, going out into the crowd again, he asked of one 
who seemed to be a man of authority : 

" Can you tell me, sir, where I can see the mayor?" 

" The mayor? May I ask what you want with him?" 

" I want to demand the surrender of the town." 

By this time the crowd were prepared to enter into the joke, 
and one answered : 

" We couldn't think of surrendering until we see your gun- 
boats coming along. A Yankee is'nt half a soldier unless he has 
a gunboat to back him." 

" The gunboats will be along, you needn't be afraid," answered 
the Federal. 

" How are they going to get here?" asked another, looking 
around, with pretended anxiety for the water which was to trans- 
port them. 

" O, Gen. Mitchel has just had some made by a new pattern, in- 
tended to run on land, and they are made with steel soles and 
spring runners/' replied the corporal, gravely. 



A Solitary Scout. 141 

''Well, he^U have to show us how they work, before this town 
will surrender to one man." 

" O, he used them with great eifect at Bowling Green the 
other day; hadn't you heard of it?" 

"Say, if you're a Yankee, show us a Yankee trick; then we'll 
believe you," suggested one. 

" Maybe I will before I go." 

"Well, you might as well own up, and tell us where the Cap- 
tain is." 

"Yes, do; we'd like to know the best in the world." 

"What Captain do you mean, gentlemen ?" 

'' Why, Captain Morgan, of course." 

" Well, I'm sorry I can't tell you, but I really don't know. I 
am Corporal James Pike, of the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, and am 
;aot informed of Captain Morgan's movements." 

There was a general laugh at this disavowal of the character 
which they persisted in believing was his true one, and Corpo- 
ral Pike, having ordered his horse, mounted and galloped off 
toward Huntsville, while they were still in a good humor. Just 
as he rode off, one called out to him : 

"Where's the Yankee trick you promised to show us?" 

"Just wait awhile and you'll see it," he called back. 

Eiding five miles, he came to Wells' Hill, where there is a 
fork in the road; one leading to Huntsville, and the other to 
Decatur. As he turned his horse's head to take the latter, he 
saw, coming along a branch of that leading to Huntsville, a 
wagon train. He immediately decided that, as there was no 
guard with the train, this was the opportunity for his "Yankee 
trick." He changed his course then, and went to meet the 
train. 

" Drive that wagon up here close by the fence," he ordered 
the driver of the first. 

"When did you get to be wagon-master?" asked the driver. 

" When you put your musket out of reach of your arm as you 
drove," he answered, his finger on the trigger of his revolver. 
" Drive up, I say." 

Without further question, the man did as he was bid, and the 
drivers of the other wagons prudently followed his example. 
The wagon-master was some distance behind the train, but 
spurred up when he saw the stoppage, and asked, in language 
more forcible than polite, what was the meaning of this. 



142 A Solitary Scout. 

" It means that you'd better get up into that fence corner 
d — d quick," answered the soldier. The wagon-master carried 
revolvers in his belt, but what are a dozen so disposed, to one, 
cocked, in the hand of your opponent, pointed directly at you? 
He was quicklj'' disarmed ; then — 

"What's in those wagons?" 

" Fodder," answered the wagon-master; " don't you see it?" 

" What's underneath the fodder ?" 

No one answered for a moment j then one of the drivers said 
that it was bacon — four thousand pounds on each wagon. 

"All right; it isn't Fourth of July, but I guess we'll have a 
bonfire now, for fear you don't have one then," answered the 
soldier. 

Taking some matches from his pocket, he deliberately set fire 
to the dry corn-blades and other fodder with which the meat 
was covered, and soon a bright blaze, accompanied by a thick 
black smoke, rose in the air. The men in the fence-corner dared 
not move; the drivers had left their muskets in the wagons, and 
wore no side-arms; neither they nor the wagon-master dared 
make a movement towards them. The fire grew hotter and 
fiercer; no long time was required to consume such combusti- 
ble material, and the wagons were soon so far destroyed that 
there was no possibility of saving them or any portion of them. 
Turning then to the men who still stood in the fence-corner, he 
ordered the wagon-master to mount his horse and the drivers to 
mount the mules which had been harnessed to the wagons, and 
had them ride before him to the junction of the two roads lead- 
ing to Fayetteville. Halting here, he said to them: 

"Now, you ride into town as fast as you can go. I am going 
to count one hundred, and if you're not out of sight as soon as 
I have finished, I'll shoot." 

But long before he had completed the count, they were out of 
sight, and he free to turn down the road to Decatur. Eiding rapid- 
ly until he had put about ten miles between himself and Wells' 
Hill, he came to a small country church. It was Sunday, and 
the congregation was most devoutly listening to the sermon; but 
in that congregation there might be Confederate soldiers. De- 
termined, like a prudent general, to leave no enemy in his rear, 
and yet knowing that it might be dangerous to dismount in or- 
der to investigate, he spurred his horse up the two or three 
stej)S that the floor of the building was raised above the ground, 



A Solitary Scout. 



143 



right into the middle and only aisle. As the horse's hoofs 
struck loudly uj)on the floor, the congregation started from its 
attitude of rapt attention, the preacher, whose hand was raised 
and in the act of coming down with a thump upon the pulpit, 
paused in the sermon and the gesture, to look at the singular 
spectacle of an armed horseman in a church. 

"Sorry to interrupt you, sir," he said, addressing the preach- 
er; "are there any Southern soldiers in the church!" 

"I — I believe not, sir," replied the startled divine, turning 
his eyes instinctively to the back door, which stood open. 

Suspecting that there had been Southern soldiers in the build- 
ing a few moments ago, and that the back door had been their 




means of exit, he directed the 
preacher to offer a prayer for the 
President of the United States, 
backed his horse out of the 
building, and rode on, realizing that in rapid movement was 
his only safety from an aroused country, and he saw that he had 
already disturbed the worshipers only too completely. Soon, 
however, he met two unarmed Confederates, who were leisurely 
riding along to church, not dreaming of a roaming Yankee 
knight so far within the lines. 

" Halt!" came the order, speedily obeyed. He demanded their 
names, regiments and companies ; and having received the de- 
sired information, said to them : 

" I am very sorry for it, but it is so far outside our lines that 



144 A Solitary Scout. 

there is only one way left for me to dispose of you." 

" My God !" exclaimed one ; " you don't mean to shoot us?" 

" I am very sorry, but it can not be helped ; it is the only 
thing that can be done, as I see." 

" I pledge you my honor I will go with you in good faith," 
said the other. 

" It seems mighty hard to be shot down without a chance of 
defending yourself," murmured the first. 

Corporal Pike did not answer for a moment, being apparently 
lost in thought. Then, reluctantlj^ : 

"Well, if you'll take the oath of allegiance to the United 
States, I guess I'll let you go." 

To this they agreed, and holding up his right hand and re- 
moving his cap, he caused them to uncover their heads and lift 
their right hands to heaven. But it seemed like blasphemy, 
this adminstering an oath when he had no right to do so, and 
having tested their willingness, he said to them : 

"Well, gentlemen, I guess I'll rely on your honor to do noth- 
ing towards pursuing me or giving information of me." 

And with lightened hearts they rode on to church. Proceed- 
ing on his way, he met and very much frightened an old man 
riding to Fayetteville, who admitted that he was going thither 
to try, as judge, a number of cases, chiefly "political;" court 
opening the next day. Knowing the meaning of the word as used 
in those times, the scout took a delight in scaring the old man 
considerably, and sent him flying on to Fayetteville at a greatly 
increased speed. Pushing on rapidly then, until he had passed 
several houses, he reached a shallow creek. Judging it advisable 
to leave the road, and to put all j^ossible pursuers off his track 
as far as possible, he guided his horse into the stream, and a 
considerable distance along the current; so that it might not be 
easily determined just where he had left the road. 

The creek led him into the woods ; and here he rode along by- 
paths until nearly sunset, when he saw, through the trees, an 
old man crossing the road which he had left. Checkinghis horse, 
he waited until the new comer should be A.ithin eas}^ speaking 
distance. 

' " Bless my soul!" exclaimed the old man, as, quietly thread- 
ing his waj'' and looking intently forward, he saw the horseman 
coming suddenly in front of him„ 

" You wouldn't have seen me if I hadn't spurred up then,, and 



A Solitarij Scout. 145 

showed myself, I guess," said the soldier, with a laugh. 

"I reckon not, sir; I reckon not; wouldn't have seen you at 
all." 

" Do you know who I am ?" 

The old man looked intently at him, but said not a word. Fi- 
nally the corporal spoke : 

" I am a Federal soldier — " 

''Bless my soul ! Are you, though, sure enough ?" 

" Don't I look like one ?" was the Yankee answer given him. 

" Yes, you do, but — do you know you're in danger, sir?" 

" Anything particular ?" 

"There's twelve of Young's Tennessee Cavalry and fifteen 
mounted citizens out now after a man that they say \as been 
raising a disturbance up the country." 

" Well, do you think they want me f asked the soldier. 

"It looks like it. You kind o' answer to the description they 
give." 

" A man that's been raising a disturbance ?" asked the soldier, 

" In every way. You'd better hide somewhere until dark, for 
the whole country will soon be alarmed." 

"Are you a Union man, sir?" 

" Every inch ; you may depend on mc. N"ow I'll tell you what 
you can do. But, first, will you keep to your horse?" 

" I guess not ; it would give them a better chance to see me and 
hear me. Do you know of any place where I could leave him and 
be likely to get him again?" 

"Yes; there's a Union man lives down here in the woods — it 
isn't on any road ; he'll take care of the horse for you." 

And he gave the Federal directions for reaching the house. 
Leaving his horse here, he struck out for Decatur, keeping care- 
fully to the woods, and guiding his steps by the sun. Butitwas 
already late when he had been cautioned about his pursuers, and 
slowly, but surely, the red glow faded out of the western sky. 
Nor was this the worst. Though here and there the trees were 
so thick as completely to intercept ail light from above, yet, at 
other points, a more open space would have allowed him, on a 
clear night, to shape his course by the stars; but the sky was 
heavily overcast; there was a portentous stillness in the air, and 
suddenly the storm burst upon him. Shelterless, friendless, in a 
strange country, and weary from the long ride, he wrapped him- 
self in his rubber blanket, and throwing himself upon the ground, 



146 A Solitary Scout. 

which was already soaked with the rain, slept soundly until 
morning. 

The rain fell in torrents all night, and when he awoke at the 
hour of reveille, he was wet to the skin. He had no rations with 
him, had had no food since the breakfast at the hotel the previous 
morning, and could not tell where it would be safe to stop to get 
some. Making his way toward the railway, he followed it until 
about ten o'clock, when he stopped at a house by the roadway 
and asked for something to eat, 

" Yes ; I suppose we can find something for you to eat," was 
the ungracious reply, given in a tone which implied that the 
speaker supposed he would be obliged to provide it. 

Such, indeed, was the tenor of all the few sentences his hos+ 
could be induced to utter. Such behavior naturally made Pike 
believe that he was in the house of a violent Southern man ; 
though he found afterward that his host was Union in principle, 
but distrusted him, believing him a Confederate in disguise. But 
if this belief lost him a friend, it probably saved him from cap- 
ture. He had not been in the house long before some cavalry- 
men rode up to the door and demanded refreshment for man and 
beast. 

"Hello, bluecoat," cried one as they entered the door of the 
room where he was eating, " who might you be ?" 

" Well, I might be a Fed, only I aint, you see." 

"Don't see it. Who in the devil are you, if you aint a Fed ?" 

" Well, I used to run a ranch in Texas, but some of my steers 
tossed me clear to Alabama to fight the Yanks." 

" What are you doing with that uniform on ?" 

"I'm obeying orders; and one of my orders is to keep dark 
about why I'm in blue. Do you see it?" 

" I reckon so," with a laugh. 

" Then just go one better, and I'll call — Who are you ?" 

" Second Tennessee Cavalry, Company A." 

"What happened to Company A, that there ain't no more of 
it?" 

" O, the rest are in camp, near Decatur." 

" Guarding the bridge, hey?" 

"Not exactly -, that is, not altogether; we're rather scattered." 

" Better look out for Mitchel ; he'll be down on you like a 
thousand of brick and burn that bridge before you know it." 

"If he could coiue down like one of the gunboats, he might 



A iSoliidry >S(vul. I47 

burn it iip, sure enough ; but that is not very likely." 

" Don't they keep it well guarded ?" 

"0,1 reckon there's enough to stand their ground against 
anything less than a brigade, and they could soon get reinforce- 
ments if they found themselves getting the worst of it. But 
what makes you so worried about the bridge, Texas? Heard 
anything?" 

" Xo ; nothing, except that they say Mitchel is determined to 
whip us." 

** Burning bridges ain't whipping us, not by a long shot." 

'< It might help it along, though, if they cut off all railroad 
comnumication." 

"But they won't, you see, because they can't. It would take 
a regiment to burn that bridge." 

The cavalrymen insisted on conducting him to their camp, 
where he was most cordially received. The hospitality of these 
enemies, indeed, became somewhat oppressive, for they would 
not permit him to depart, and it was every day becoming more 
and more necessary that he should accomplish the work for 
which he was sent. At last, however, he escaped from them, 
though his resolution to leave them made them suspect that all 
was not as it should be. 

On leaving the camp, he of course set out in the direction 
which they advised ; but this was simply to lull suspicion, and 
no sooner was he fully out of sight than he changed his 
course, ascending the Tennessee. Fearful lest his late hosts 
might pursue him, he resolved to adopt the plan usual with 
scouts in an enemj-'s country, and travel only b}^ night. Toil- 
ing painfully along, he lost his way; and became so puzzled as 
to what his proper course was, that he took the worst direction 
possible, and landed in a swamp, where he was obliged to stay 
until morning should enable him to find the Avay to dry land 
once more. 

His plan now was to ascend the river for a safe distance, steal 
a boat, float down the stream, and set fire to the bridge from be- 
neath. After a toilsome journey, he saw, drawn up on the river 
bank, the prize so much coveted — a skiff. Concealing himself 
as near by as he could find sheltei-, it was not until a late hour 
of the night that it seemed safe to venture out towards the boat. 
It was some distance from the water's edge, this being the 
season when freshets were liable to occur any day; and it was 
10 



148 A Solitary Scout. 

not until the '' wee sma' hours" that he finally launched the lit- 
tle vessel upon the river. Much of the way he could only float 
silently along, for the sound of oars might alarm some watchful 
sentinel on shore. However, he should reach the bridge a little 
before dawn, even if he were obliged to float all the way; and 
the darkness would enable him to arrange matters so that when 
he should be at a safe distance, just about dawn, flames would 
burst forth from various parts of the bridge, and speedily be- 
come uncontrollable. 

While entertained by the Tennessee regiment as the disguised 
Texan Eanger, he had furtively made a close study of the bridge 
whenever an opportunity offered to examine it without exciting 
suspicion. Relying upon the knowledge so gained, he had 
freighted his boat with all the combustible materials obtainable, 
hoping to place these in the various crevices and openings of the 
bridge, to make the work of destruction the more certain. As he 
floated silently down the river through the darkness, he saw, " in 
his mind's eye," the flames rising higher and higher in the light 
of dawn, until the rosy clouds of the east were paled by the 
glory of the fire. He saw the soldiers running to and fro in 
confusion, some endeavoring to control the wild and fiery ele- 
ment, some cursing the daring foe who had inflicted this injury 
upon their means of communication with other portions of the 
army. 

But, the distance was greater, or the time less than he had 
calculated. As he floated down the stream, the sky behind him 
grew lighter and lighter; he looked anxiously backward as he 
continued his westward journey, then forward again to see how 
far he still was from Decatur. He knew that the bridge was not 
guarded, being thought too far within the Confederate lines to 
be in any danger; and that for the same reason there was no 
close guard kept upon tbe river. The camp was situated upon 
an elevation some distance from the stream, and better fitted to 
defend the town than a lower place. His great danger, then, 
would be from either rangers or bushwhackers. 

It was broad day when he came in sight of the town, and there 
were soldiers, plenty of them, in full view. Thus belated, with 
suspicion so frequently excited behind him, it was useless to 
think of attempting to burn the bridge under the circumstances. 

There was but one thing to be done — leave the river, and 
strike due north for the Federal lines. Steering for the shore 



A Solitary Scout, I49 

as noiselessly as possible, when he found his plans impractica- 
ble, he thought that he had eluded observation. Plunging into 
the woods, although tired with the journey of the day before and 
the vigil of the night, he made good time, hoping to be soon out 
of reach of those who might suspect him. All day he traveled 
onward, and even when night came, he hastened his flagging 
steps, cheering himself with the thought that he had done as 
much as circumstances would permit. 

But listen ! What is that sound, that the wind bears onward, 
breaking the stillness of the night? Perhaps some housedog, 
faithful to his trust, has discovered the approach of a suspicious 
stranger. So he assures himself, and hurries onward. But if 
that supposition were correct, he would by this time have left 
the sound far behind him, and it is really nearer. Not until the 
baying of the one dog is echoed, fainter and fainter, by others less 
keen of scent, does he realize that he is pursued, and with blood- 
hounds. 

His way had, for some hours past, lain over open ground, 
which, in the bygone time of peace, had once been cultivated, but 
was now permitted to lie fallow. Here and there, in some 
broad green pasture, was a pond, where in later months the 
''milky mothers of the herd" would stand knee deep 3 but these 
were not enough for his purpose; his footsteps would oe easily 
tracked on the other side, for the hounds would, of course, make 
the circuit of so small a body of water. 

At last he neared a dense grove, an almost certain indication 
of the presence of running water; and was soon lost to view in 
the deep shadows of the wood. His expectations were not dis- 
appointed ; a stream, several yards in width and nearly waist 
deep, appeared when he had penetrated but a short distance into 
the grove. He plunged into the water, and swimming down the 
stream a short distance, emerged on the opposite side. This 
of course would break the trail, and cause the pursuers to make 
a delay, which would be fatal to their purpose; if, indeed, they 
succeeded in finding the trail again after all their search. 

But Fortune favors the brave, and in this case she granted him 
still another advantage. He had not proceeded far when he 
came upon a swampy piece of ground, where there were sev- 
eral streams nearly as deep as the first, forming a network. Into 
these he plunged and waded for nearly an hour. At length, 
however, tired nature asserted her rights, and he began to look 



If)!) 



A Soliiaru Scouf. 



for a resting-place. Sleep on the slimy, oozy ground near by, 
was out of the question ; nor would it be safe to leave the swamp 
to gain such refreshment. What was his joy to discover a pile 
of new rails rising a fewfeet above the level of the swamp. Gain- 
ing the island on which they were, he disposed them so cun- 
ningly as to leave himself a place into which to crawl, while the 
arrangement did not seem any different from what it had been. 
As he worked to provide this shelter, he could hear the deep 
voices of the hounds as they ran hither and thither, seeking the 
lost scent. The pursuers in human form, he knew, would not 




be able to decide what direction to take, or when to leave the wa- 
ter. Lulled by these soothing reflections, he fell asleep. 

It was morning before he awoke, and though he was no longer 
so weary, he was faint with hunger. Then, too, his clothes had 
been soaked through and through during his efforts to escape from 
the bloodhounds, and in drjnng had made him intensely cold. 
With the still damp garments clinging to his benumbed limbs, 
he endeavored to restore his body to its natural heat by exercise 
before leaving the swamp. Not entirely satisfied of the safety of 
immediately proceeding, however, he again waded about for 



A ^olitarij Scout. 151 

nearly half an hour in the water before making for dry land again. 

He emerged from the morass at the. rear of a plantation, and 
looking cautiously around him, saw an old negro at work, alone 
in a field. The lay of the land was such thatgreat care was still 
necessar}^, for there might be plenty of white nu-n just out of 
sight, but within hearing; and white men were presumably ene- 
mies. Slowly and silently, then he crept within hailing dis- 
tance of the old man. 

" Hi, uncle I" he called in a low tone, as the negro approached 
in the course of his work, the soldier's place of concealment. 

"Who datcall me?" 

''Come here, a little closer. Is there anybody near?" 

"N"otas I knows on, sah. Who is you?" peering curiousl}^ 
at liim. 

" I am a Yankee soldier — " began the Corporal. 

" How de debbil did you git dah !" exclaimed the old man, 
starting back in fright or surprise. 

" Well, I've been chased b}^ the Eeb's with their bloodhounds ; 
but I've got away from them; and now I'd be all right if I only 
had something to eat." 

"Law, Massa, is dat all you want? Ole Miss' she — but I 
reckon you wouldn't like to come up to de house much, sah ?" 

"Is your mistress loyal ?" 

" She mighty strong Secesh, sah; ole Massa and Mass' John, 
dey bofe in the army, an' — " 

"I don't think it would be safe, then. Can't you bring me 
something out here ?" 

" Yes, sah, plenty ; but, you see, it wouldn't be as nice as ole 
Miss' would give you if you dast go up to the house." 

"N'ever mind that, so there's plenty of it and it comes quick," 
answered the hungry man. 

The old negro started off as fast as the stiffness of his joints 
would permit, and soon returned with a bountiful supply of 
bacon and corn bread. When his hunger was somewhat ap- 
peased, the soldier began to ask about the way he had better 
pursue to get to Huntsville, where Gen. Mitchel's headquarters 
were then situated. 

" Don't tink you can git dah, sah, by yo'self; might lose de 
way and get captured. Dem bloodhounds is mighty bad tings 
to be chased by," answered the old man, shaking his head as he 
called to mind instances of their keenness of scent in track- 



152 



A Solitary Scout. 



ing runaway servants. "Ise afeared you lose de way, shuah." 
"But what am I to do?" 

"Eeekon our Joe will show you de way, sah; I'll go see." 
Sure enough, Joe was willing and able to act as guide; and 
the two set out on their journey. 

" Dey'U miss me up at de house if I stay away long," said 
Joe, when they had gone several miles, " but I reckon you kin 
find the way from heah." 

And he gave the soldier minute directions for what was really 
not a difficult road to follow. 

" De Lawd bless you, 
sah J I hope you'll git 
through all right." 

" Thank you, Joe ; I 
guess I will. G-ood- 
bye." 

"Good-bye, sah." 
And they trudged 
off in their different di- 
rections ; one back to 
servitude, one onward 
to whatever of free- 
dom and safety a sol- 
dier's life possesses. 
The Federal had not 
gone far before he was 
^^Stop a vdnutcwuntyour overtaken by a negro 

man, driving a fine horse in most lordly style. 

" Whose horse and buggy is that?" called the soldier. 

" Dat's Mr. 's propahty," answered the driver, with dig- 
nity, as he slackened speed. 

" Stop a minute, won't you?" 

As the negro drew rein, the soldier sprang into the buggy, 
and showing a revolver, said to the frightened darkey: 

"I'm a Federal soldier, and I want you to drive me to Hunts- 
viUe." 

"Law, ole Massa so strong Secesh, he whip me good if he 
knowed I done dat, sah." 

" But I'll shoot you if you don't do it," was the reply. 

The whip was in the future, the revolver in the present, and 
the frightened negro, choosing tlie lesser evil, drove on towards 




154 



A Solitary Scout. 




A Solitary Scout. I55 

Huntsville, the blooded animal taking them along at a rattling 
gait. 

" You say Mr. is Secesh ?" asked Pike 

" Yes, sah; mighty strong.'' 

"Well, I guess I'll confiscate this horse and bugg}-, then; you 
can take me clear into Huntsville. Drive on, fast." 

And in spite of the darkey's terrified remonstrances, he per- 
sisted in this demand. It was in good style, then, that he finally 
entered the town, safe from all pursuit. His driver was so much 
afraid of a whipping that he refused to return to his master, 
and finally became a cook for one of the officers' messes. 

Corporal Pike continued to act as a scout, sometimes alone, 
sometimes in conjunction with others, for a period of nearly 
three years. He was finally honorably discharged, after having 
served more than the time for which he had enlisted, only a 
week before Gren. Lee's surrender. 



i^HAPTER )ill. 



STEINGFELLOW AGAINST ODDS. 

A Small-sized Raid — Posting the Force — A Bearer of Dispatches — ^Disohedience of 
Orders — An Alarming State of Affairs — The Biter Bit — Injured Innocence — An 
Indignant Prisoner — Something Wrong — The Prisoner Eefuses to be Released 
— Between Two Fires — A Strong Temptation — Resisted — A Sudden Revelation 
— A Little Battle — A Surrender and Skedaddle — Astonishing the Pickets — A 
Race — A Battle of Larger Forces— Retreat of the Confederates — Taking Stock 
of the Spoils— He Called Himself a Fool— And Nobody Contradicted Him. 

THE pleasure which we feel in reading the numberless stories 
of scouts and spies, their daring adventures and narrow 
escapes, is often marred when we allow ourselves to look at the 
other side of the picture to see the partisan or the secret service 
agent with the eyes of the enemy against whom his operations 
were directed; then we observe that his clever performance of 
his part is but the acting of a lie^ that every word is false ; that 
the quickness with which he disposes of any soldier that is likely 
to thwart his plans shows a savage disregard for human life. That 
is the dark side of the picture, and it is darker than Erebus. In 
ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, we must shut our eyes to 
this, or the fell shadow will darken all the glowing colors. In 
reading the history of any war, we must harden our hearts, we 
must dull our understandings, if we would not be overwhelmed 
by the thought of the distress which even a single action must 
cause. But occasionally, there is a man employed in such ser- 
vice who hesitates to shoot down even an enemy, without warning 
him that he is in the very presence of death. Such was the man 
of whom we now write, one of the most trusted of all the scouts 
employed by the Commander-in-chief of the Confederate army; 
and with none will it detract from the interest of an " ower true 
tale," that the hero of it has discarded the sword of the flesh for 
156 



Stringfellow Against Odds. 157 

that of the Spirit, and as the rector of a church in Powhatan 
County, Virginia, has since battled with the enemy of all man- 
kind, rather than with the foes of a section of his country. He 
made none the worse soldier for being a Christian, and none 
the worse Christian for being a soldier. 

Gen. Gregg was in the height of his fame as a cavalry officer 
when Capt. Frank Stringfellow, with a small force of men, pick- 
ed from the Army of Northern Virginia to serve as scouts, de- 
termined to make a small-sized raid into the enemy's lines, and 
capture many horses or dispatches, as opportunity might offer. 
Setting out from the Confederate headquarters just before 
" taps " warned the infantryman that it was time for darkness 
and quiet, it was in the " wee sma* hours" that they reached 
and passed the enemy's lines. The eastern sky was just streak- 
ed with crimson when they halted in a small group of trees 
about two hundred yards from the county road; there lying in 
wait for their prey, like a cat at a safe distance from a rat-hole; 
for they knew that small bodies of Federals would soon pass 
that way. The force was carefully posted, the main body being 
concealed in the grove already mentioned, while a single man 
was so placed as to be able to communicate, by signals, with 
Stringfellow, who was to operate on the road, and with the men 
concealed in the grove. 

Their expectations were not disappointed, for it was not many 
hours after completing these arrangements before a single horse- 
man, dressed in a blue uniform, was seen coming down the road. 
Being far within his own lines, the new comer evidently regard- 
ed caution as superfluous, and made no attempt to conceal the 
dispatches of which he was the bearer. On the contrary, the 
mail-bag was so secured to his person as rather to indicate that 
he wished to proclaim his mission to all. For the same reason 
that he disclaimed caution and concealment, he carelessly re- 
garded the soldier whom he now saw riding toward him, who, 
though wearing the trousers and overcoat of a United States of- 
ficer, was no other than our friend the Confederate scout. The 
two rode towards each other, and the cavalryman — the ''real 
article" — had just 7*aised his hand to salute the officer when that 
person returned the salute in a manner somewhat unusual; be- 
ing nothing else than the presenting the muzzle of a revolver 
full in the Federal's face. 

"Haiti Surrender, or you are a dead man." 



158 Stringfellow Against Odds. 

The astonished trooper could on!}- gasj) out that ho complied 
with this demand, and yield up his arms and dispatches as the 
captor required. Signaling to the man who had been posted 
for the purj^ose of communication, Stringfellow said to him : 

"Take this prisoner to the rear, and bring up the men for a 
fight. I hear cavalry not very far off. Bring them up at a fast 
trot." 

The soldier received the command with due respect, and de- 
parted from his chief's presence, to disobey that chief's express 
orders. For, unlike many oi'ganizations performing similar ser- 
vices to the army, this little force had a strict code of moralit}', 
which was never allowed to relax. Though, as soldiers, they 
must often disregard the commandment, " Thou shalt not kill," 
they were scrupulous in their observance of that which is the 
second after it. Of course, arms and all government property, 
found on the persons of their prisoners must, according to the 
rules of war, be confiscated, but private property was as sacred 
in their eyes as in times of peace. AVhen, therefore, Stringfellow 
sent his prisoner to the rear, he had no expectation of any de- 
lay resulting from such a cause ; but, by a strange fatality, just 
at the moment when such a course would most imperil the lead- 
er, this one man committed the only offense of the kind which 
stains the history of the little force of scouts. Instead of carry- 
ing the message to his comrades, he paused to plunder the pris- 
oner. 

In the meantime, Stringfellow, in order to give his men time to 
come up, and to prevent his own premature capture, had de- 
cided that it would be necessary to deceive the enemy. Ac- 
cordingly, he buckled on the mail-bag in such a waj" that no one 
would doubt that he wasabearer of dispatches, and rode onward. 
He rode slowly, in order to give his men plenty of time ; but still 
they did not come. Kever once supposing that his orders had 
not been received, he could not imagine why they were not obey- 
ed; he could not understand why the men who had been chosen 
for their desperate courage as much as for other qualities, who 
had stood by him in a score of contests with numbers far supe- 
rior to their own, should fail him now. Nearer and nearer came 
the eneni}', as the clatter of their horses' hoofs upon the hard 
road indicated, and though he was alone, he must go on; to re- 
treat was to give up all the advantages that bad been gained by 
the capture of the courier. 



StriiKjftilow Ayainst Odds. l'''»9 

But though he was considerably alarmed by the failure of his 
men to obey orders, his mind was more at ease when the ene- 
my's cavalry came in view and was seen to number but two men. 
These he could easily capture single-handed, and since he would 
be obliged to escort his prisoners to the rear himself, he could 
thus learn the reason why his men had failed to come up in due 
time. Fortunately, their not coming would make no difference 
whatever, although, if he had met r>. larger force, his situation 
might ha.ve proved somewhat embarrassing. 

He was just congratulating himself upon this situation, which 
might have been so much worse, when a third Federal trooper 
came in sight, and speedily joined his comrades. But, like a 
phj^sician who sees new and unfavorable sj'mptoms a])pear and 
yet does not wholly give up the patient, the scout determined 
to pursue the same course against the three upon which he had 
resolved when he saw but two antagonists. Upon the appear- 
ance of a fourth Federal a moment afterwards, however, he 
began to see that his plans could not be carried out. With ready 
eye he saw what would be the best, and indeed the only course 
that he could with safety pursue. His blue overcoat and trous- 
ers and the mail-bag so conspicuously displayed would lead 
them to think him a regular bearer of dispatches ; he would 
ride past them unmolested ; they would go on, only to fall into 
the hands of his men, when he would return and attack them in 
the rear. 

All this time the solitary Confederate and the little group of 
Federals were drawing nearer together. Thinking to run 
through them oefore they could offer resistance, Stringfellow 
urged his horse to a gallop; but as he dashed up towards them, 
they opened out so as to completely bar the w^ay. Before his 
quick wits could decide what course should now be taken, they 
had wheeled their horses so as entirely to surround him, and 
the muzzles of four pistols were in his very face. The figures 
formed b}^ a kaleidoscope are made more beautiful by multiplica- 
tion, but in the case of a revolver, it is different. It was b}' no 
means a pleasant sight for Stringfellow, and yet he could not 
shut his eyes to it. More to gain time than for anything else, 
he assumed an air of injured dignity, and demanded : 

" What do you mean ? Are you bushwhackers ?" 

''No; we're regularly enlisted men," replied the sergeant, 
who was the only officer of the party. 



160 



String fellow Against Odds, 



"Then what does this behavior mean — capturing a United 
States soldier within the lines? You belong to Gen. Gregg's 
cavalry, don't you?" 

" We do, sir," the sergeant admitted, doubtfully. 

"Then you must remember seeing me at headquarters," per- 
sisted the scout. 

" Hanged if I haven't," muttered one of the Federals. 

"Believe I have, too," added a second, while the third nod- 
ded his approval. 




Four to One. 

"Well, I never have seen him at headquarters, I'm certain," 
rejoined the sergeant, decidedly. 

Having succeeded in getting their revolvers out of his face, 
and still anxious to gain time, Stringfellow pressed his advan- 
tage, already secured, in another direction. 

" It's easy enough for you to say that you are not bushwhack- 
ers, but how am I to know ? With your uniform overcoats on, 
you could easily enough get into the lines. Let me see your 
pants." 

The troopers, indignant at the suspicion, threw open their 
overcoats and disclosed the garments in question — regulation 



Stringfdlow Against Odds, 161 

cut and color. Then, on the principle that " what is sauce for 
the goose is sauce for the gander," they demanded that String- 
fellow should submit to the same test. "What was their aston- 
ishment when they saw that he wore the trousers of an officer in 
the United States army. 

"]^ow,"he said, in a tone of great indignation, "I suppose 
you know who I am. Don't you see what aw insult you have 
offered an officer? But you shall answer for your disrespectful 
conduct; you may rest assured that I shall not allow it to go 
Unpunished." 

" Better beg his pardon and let him go, Sergeant," urged one 
of the men, in an undertone. 

" Didn't you see him stop that trooper and take the dispatches 
from him ?" demanded the sergeant ; in the same tone. 

"Ye-es," admitted the other, trying to reconcile the two 
things so different. 

"But he must be an officer, Sergeant," chimed in another 
trooper, " or he would never dare to behave as he is doing." 

'''There's something wrong about it," replied the sergeant, 
doggedly ; then, turning to the prisoner, he said : "Answer one 
question to my satisfaction, and I will release yo-a.. You say you 
are an officer, then why do you carry a private soldier's arms 
and a mail-bag ? The officers don't carry the mails." 

"Eelease me, will you?" asked Stringfellow, still indignant 
and without pretending to answer the question; " indeed you 
shall not; you shall keep me in custody until you are fully con- 
vinced who I am. I'll have ample satisfaction for this treat- 
ment yet. Eide on to the picket post — any of the men there can 
identify me." 

"You must give up your arms before we go on, sir," insisted 
the sergeant. 

"Give up my arms? Why, if you are bushwhackers you 
might as well shoot me now." 

" We are not bushwhackers, sir," answered the other, sullenly. 

"Then, if you do belong to our army, do you suppose that 
I'm going to make a laughing stock of myself for everybody at 
headquarters, as I should do if I were to give up my arms to our 
own men?" 

Still keeping the air of injured innocence which he had so 
successfully assumed, he rode towards the picket post accom- 
panied by the others. The four rode with drawn pistols ready to 



162 Stringfellow Ayainst Odds. 

use them at the prisoner's slightest motion to quit their company. 
Though the muzzles were not pointed into his face, as they had 
been, his situation was hardly less critical now than it was then ; 
and the danger increased with every yard by which they drew 
nearer to the picket post. There was but one thing which could 
save him; his own men might see the party as it passed, and 
charge and recapture him. As they rode near the woods in which 
his men were posted, scarcely two hundred yards away, he 
looked anxiously forward, but no promise of deliverance was 
seen. In a Federal uniform with the exception of his coat, which 
was gray, he dared not surrender, lest the costume be completed 
by a hempen necktie. Just in front of him was the picket; at 
each side rode two soldiers holding cocked revolvers. 

Eapidly he turned over in his mind the courses which presen- 
ted themselves. There was but one which seemed practicable. 
He had purposely endeavored, by talking with them on different 
subjects, todrawtheir attention away from himself, and although 
he had only partially succeeded, still that small measure of suc- 
cess gave him some room for action. A sudden shot before they 
had time to suspect bis intention would kill the sergeant, who 
was by far the most formidable of the four ; then he could fight 
the other three ; perhaps — for he had not yet given up all hopes 
of capturing his captors — carry the engagement so near to the 
point where his own men were posted that there could be no 
doubt about their coming to the rescue. 

The plan was tempting, for though the execution of it would 
not be unattended by danger to himself, he saw no other way 
out of the still more imminent danger into which he was riding. 
But though he might kill a man in fair and open fight, and think 
no more of it than that he, a soldier ofhis native state, had slain 
one of her enemies, his whole soul revolted at the idea of shoot- 
ing a man who was not looking for death, of sending a human 
spirit into eternity unprepared. Sooner than do this ho assumed 
the greater risk himself. Suddenly interrupting one of the 
troopers in the rambling conversation which had been carried 
on, he turned upon the sergeant with : 

"lam a Southern soldier, and you must surrender to me." 

Knowing how great an advantage they had over him, the 
scout threw himself upon the side of his horse; the action was 
just in time, for the words were hardly out of his mouth before 
they all fired, but, fortunately, missing him. It may be believed 



Stringfellow Against Odds. 163 

that he lost no time in returning the fire, and, now that fair 
warning had been given, aimed at the sergeant. But the shot 
was hasty, and the ball lodged in the flesh, not of the rider, but 
of the horse. As the animal fell, the sergeant's attention was 
engaged in keeping himself from being crushed by the fall, and 
Stringfellow fired again before the Federal could use his revol- 
ver. The ball was better aimed than before, and, although 
it was far from fatal in its eifects, inflicting only a flesh 
wound, yet the sergeant, thus disabled and unhorsed, had no 
resort but to surrender; while his comrades, judging discretion 
the better part of valor, rode off at full speed. 

Stringfellow pursued them hotly, and they galloped past the 
astounded picket, who could not understand why these men, all 
in blue uniform, should be fighting with each other. One man was 
accordingly sent back to the reserve force for instructions, and 
reinforcements for the Federals were speedily heard making for 
the road. How many there might be coming up, the scout had no 
means of knowing; but feeling sure that the odds were too 
great for him, singlehanded as he was, he turned and rode back 
towards his own men. The cavalrymen whom he had been 
pursuing, were quick to perceive the change, and having heard 
their reinforcements approaching, wheeled their horses and be- 
came, in turn, pursuers. Stringfellow dashed along the road, 
riding for his life, while the hoofs of a dozen horses clattered 
behind him. As he rode past the point where the wounded ser- 
geant lay, a shot whistled past him, only narrowly missing him ; 
for the Federal, seeing Stringfellow evidently getting the worst 
of it, considered himself recaptured, and his surrender thus 
nullified. 

At last the woods were reached. Stringfellow was now to re- 
ceive for the first time in his many moments of dire need, the 
assistance of his men. As we have already intimated, they had 
not received the orders which he had sent to them; and having 
been posted in the woods, with instructions to remain thereuntil 
otherwise ordered, they had, with true military obedience, stuck 
to their post; though the temptation to indulge in the fight, 
when they heard the first shots between Stringfellow and the 
four troopers, was indeed a strong one. But now, "nearer, 
clearer, deadlier than before" sounded the pistols; and throw- 
ing discipline to the four winds, they dashed out from the wood 
to the aid of their leader. 
11 



164 Stringfelloio Against Odds. 

The sight of eight more Confederates took the pursuers some- 
what by surprise, and Dot knowing how many were still hidden 
in the wood, they checked the impetuosity of the advance^ Per- 
ceiving that they were somewhat doubtful about holding their 
ground, Stringfellow and his men charged upon them, hoping to 
drive them back in confusion. But the scouts had reckoned on 
less resolute men than those with whom they had to deal, and 
when, as they rode into the open ground, the weakness of their 
party became evident to the Federals, the latter rallied from 
their first surprise and terror, and gallantly repulsed the charge. 
But as new squads of blue-coated troopers were constantly com- 
ing up, the cavalrymen grew still bolder, and the scouts were 
driven in a headlong flight to the woods. 

But not more than half of the scouts had been in the first par- 
ty that came to the rescue of their leader; and as this party 
came flying for safety into the grove, the others joined them. 
Thus reinforced, they re-formed, and again charging upon the 
Federals, drove them back from the field to the road beyond. 
But each time that the Yankees were driven back, they returned 
witb fresh men to the fray. And at last the Ecbs were driven 
back into the woods, and hotly pursued into its recesses. 

But our story would be incomplete did we omit mention of 
the sergeant, but for whom Stringfollow might have deceived 
the troopers completely. Struck by the second ball from the 
scout's revolver, as we have already seen, and dismounted by 
the first, he was too badly wounded to allow any active exer- 
tion; hence, though riderless horses galloped past him as his 
comrades advanced and retreated, he could not make any effort 
to secure one. With dogged persistency, however, he sought out, 
in every charge or retreat of the Eebs, the form of the leader, 
and aimed his revolver at the man that had been his prisoner 
and his captor. 

It was not until this had been several times repeated that one 
of the scouts perceived the purpose of the wounded man. They 
were retreating for the last time, and the danger in lingering 
behind the main body was not small; but fearlessly riding away 
from his companions, he dashed up to the dismounted man, his 
pistol cocked and aimed. Arrived at a point whence the shot 
would be sure, his finger was on the trigger when Stringfellow, 
who had followed him closely, called: 

" Don't fire on that man." 



String felhui Against Odds. 165 

" He's aimed at you every time yet, sir," answered the scout. 

" Never mind that; he has surrendered to me once, and he 
must be treated as a prisoner of war." 

" But he has fired " 

" Take him prisoner again, and treat him as such," was the or- 
der, in a tone that admitted of no further parley. 

The running fight continued until nearly sunset; now one par- 
ty, now the other, being driven back. Each time, the Confeder- 
ates retreated a little greater distance than they advanced, so 
that the field was held by the Federals ; but the former lost not 
a man nor a horse, while the latter had some twenty men and 
nearly thirty horses taken by the enemy. Indeed, the prisoners 
out-numbered the scouts. But they were, by the close of the after- 
noon, too near the Confederate lines for the Federals to pursue 
any farther, especially at night; so that the hard-fought action 
closed with the withdrawal of theNortherners from the pursuit. 

When there was no longer any probability that the fight would 
be renewed, the Confederates paused to take account of their 
booty, to secure the prisoners and to divide the spoil. The in- 
domitable sergeant was one of the captives, having surrendered 
to that scout who had been so intent upon avenging the attempts 
upon the Confederate leader. 

" 0, what a fool I was ! What a d d fool I was!" he said 

to Stringfellow ; " I saw you take that man and take his arms 
and the mail from him. And I might have known that the mail 
wouldn't be sent by an officer. What a fool, what a fool !" 

"You watched me pretty close, anyhow," answered the scout, 
smiling at the other's dismay and self-reproach. 

"O, but I had no business to stop you. I ought to have let you 
go on. I might have known yoti were a bushwhacker, and 
wouldn't be taken alive." 

The tears stood in his eyes as he pondered over the occurrence, 
and continued to mutter, at intervals, "What a fool, what a 
fool." 

" Well, my friend, I'm sorry you have such a poor opinion of 
yourself, but I confess I cannot think it undeserved," replied 
Stringfellow; " now, there's only one thing I can do for 3"0U, to 
return your courtesy to me." 

"What is that?" 

"Give you free transportation to Eichmond, and a letter of 



1(3(5 Stringfellow Against Odds. 

introduction to a first-class 'War Hotel.' The gentleman in 
charge of it will be pleased to entertain you, free of cost." 

" Well, I guess I'll have to do as you say, sir," replied the ser- 
geant, ruefully; " but what a fool, what a darned fool I was!" 



;pHAPT£l^ 7IJI- 
CAPTURING A CAPTAIN. 

A Ghostly Visitor — Investigations — A Woman in the Case — Trooly Loil — A Sus- 
picious Officer — Determined to Find It Out — He Finds it Out — But Gets Lost 
Himself. 

^'T~ SENT for 3^ou as officer of the day, Gr , to hear a re- 

i port which was made to me in that capacity a few moments 
ago. There's the devil to pay at Post Number Twelve." 

"How much is owing?" asked the officer addressed, with a 
gravity becoming to his dignity. 

"That's just what we'll have to find out. This fellow will tell 
you what he saw there. We'll have trouble around that post by 
to-morrow." 

"What did you see, my man?" 

"It war a ghost, surr," was the reply, in an awed tone, which 
yet could not disguise 

" A brogue as thick as the fog, 
Whin Mother Maloney got lost in the hog." 

"A ghost?" repeated the officer, with some disdain. 

" Yis, surr; it walked right out of the soide of the hill fore- 
ninst the ould graveyard, and shook its fist at me as it passed, 
and thin wint into the bush near the fort; and thin it dishap- 
peared intirely." 

"In the bush?" 

"It melted into the air, surr, jist as it got into the borders of 
the bush ; or I could 'a seen the whoite longer nor I did." 

" Could you have seen a man in dark clothes as far in the bush 
as the ghost was when it disajDpcared ?" asked the officer. 

"No, surr, it war dark." 

"TIow did the ghost look ?" 

107 



168 Capturing a Captain. 

" Loike a tall banshee all dhressed in whoite, with oyes all of 
fire loike." 

Nothing more definite could be learned from the picket. To 
the officerit was evident that the ghost was an enemy in disguise, 
and that the so-called disappearance was but a removal of the 
ghostly apparel when once the spy was within the lines. He 
proceeded directly to Post Number Twelve, in order to make a 
minute examination of the ground, and ascertain whether the 
ghostly visitor had been material enough to leave footprints. 

"Buy any pies 'n' calves ? All claneandfrish; twenty-five cents 
for pics and five cents a dozen for cakes." 

"Why do you come out here among the rocks and bushes to 
sell your wares?" demanded the ofiicer of the woman whose 
voice thus saluted his ears. 

" Shure an' isn't yer honor here to buy them ? An' I know if 
you'll only be afther lookin' at thim,to see howfrish and tempt- 
ing they're lookin', you'll be tellin' me to lave some at your tent," 
replied the woman, insinuatingly. 

"Why do you come here?" repeated the ofiicer, sternly, with- 
out noticing the appeal to purchase. 

"I'm jist on my way to the camp, surr, from me home foive 
moiles away on the hill, and I was stoppin' here to rist mesilf. 
Me man's in the Fourteenth Maryland, and he don't loike to see 
me all tired loike when I come to camp." 

"Where is your pass, if you are a camp follower?" 

"Sure an' Fm the honest wife of Pathrick O'Meary, of the 
Fourteenth Maryland, Company T>, an' the captain — the saints 
bless him for a man that knows his business — has promised him 
that he shall be a corporal jist as soon as — " 

" Yery likely," the ofiicer cut her short with, " but you must 
go to camp and submit to a search of your basket and an inspec- 
tion of your papers, if you have any." 

"Isitsarch me you would, surr? A good loyal woman as ever 
lived, and thrics to make a bit more nor the government pay 
would be for the childer by selling nice clane frish cakes to the 
sogers, as their father is wan of thim, God bless 'em." 

" If you are a loyal woman, you will not object to what I say. 
If there is nothing in 3'our basket but pies and cakes, what harm 
is there in showing that there isn't?" 

"It's an honest, loyal woman that I am, surr, and yez can look 
in my basket and see as I haven't any pai:>ers at all, at all." 



Capturing a Captain. 



169 



Without "waiting to go back to the camp, Capt. G- took the 

suspected woman to the picket post, where her basket was thor- 
oughly searched, l^othing but cakes and pies were found, and 
the captain, baffled, but still somewhat suspicious, was obliged to 
admit that everything seemed all right. But suddenly his eye 
caught a sight of what seemed to confirm his doubts. 

"Why do you wear a pair of men's boots?" he asked, point- 
ing to her feet. 

"It's a pair that he bought before he 'listed, surr," she replied. 




" Why do you wear 7nen^s boots ?" 

making the pronoun refer to her husband, after the manner of 
Irish women of the lower class, " an' the grass is so wet that me 
own ould shoes don't kape out the wather." 

Still the captain was doubtful; and after some more talk, the 
woman volunteered the information that some two miles off, on 
the way to her own home, was the dwelling of some friends who 
could prove that she was neither a ghost or a spy. Thither 

Capt. G finally resolved to accompany her, and taking a 

single private with him, they proceeded on the way. It was 
then not later than half-past eleven. Noon came, but not the 
captain. Another hour, and still another, passed away, and ptill 
the officer of the guard was absent from camp. 



170 Capturing a Captain. 

Such a state of affairs was not to be tolerated, and the com- 
mander of the force at the camp (which did not include the 
Fourteenth Maryland) sent out a squadron of cavalry to dash 
up the hill and reconnoiter. Another hour passed. It was now 
three o'clock in the afternoon. The July sunshine beat fiercely 
down upon the camp and all surrounding it, and the men who 
were anxiously awaiting the result of the reconnoisance felt the 
heat burdensome. At last the cavalry was descried returning; 
they came back at full speed, notwithstanding the heat. They 
rode up to headquarters; the officer in command dismounted, 
and disappeared within the adjutant's tent. 

The whole regiment was on the qui vive, for every man knew 

the circumstances under which Capt. G had left camp. 

What was to be done? Even as they were wondering the long 

roll beat, and they must fly to arms. In five minutes the whole 

regiment was in line of battle, only waiting for orders to move 

onward. To the assembled men was read the following note, 

which had been found four miles from camp, stuck on the point 

of the bayonet of the musket belonging to the private who had 

accompanied Caj^t. G : 

" Col. D. : 

I am willing to excliange the pies, cakes and basket for the soldier and 

the d d fool captain I caught with crinoline. Peddlers and ghosts ai'e at a 

premium in these parts just now. Yonrs in haste, 

First Lieut., C. S. A." 
"Whether the exchange was ever effected, history sayeth not. 
Lieut. Bland certainly did not rate his prisoners very highly; 
and if the exchange did not take place, we can only infer that 
the Federal officers thought the basket and its contents more 
valuable than the officer of the guard. 



jIShapter ^lY- 



A SOUTHERN HEROINE. 

A Woman's Weapon — A Reason for Refusing a Pass — Which Was Not Appre- 
ciated — A GaUant Enemy — A Post of Vantage — She Heard Their Plans — 
A Midnight Kide — Almost Caught — Safe Again — An Enemy Not Whipped 
Out of His Boots. 

ELSEWHEEE in this volume will be found a chapter on 
Miss Pauline Cushman, who, to her reputation as an ac- 
tress, added a yet more enduring fame as a spy for the Feder- 
als. As a companion to the adventure of this lady's, there nar- 
fated, we would now detail an exploit of a woman whose sei-- 
vices were performed for the benefit of the other side — the no 
(less noted and equally daring Miss Belle Boyd, the Eebel sp}-. 

Miss Boyd's services had already made her well known both 
to friend and foe, when our story opens. Indeed, she had just 
been released from confinement at Baltimore, merely because 
there was no good proof of any recent offense against the Uni- 
ted States Government, and not because she had given any evi- 
dence of her loyalty. A man, perhaps, would have been retain- 
ed in durance vile for an indefinite length of time, under exactly 
the same circumstances; but a woman, especially a young and 
pretty one, holds weapons which our clumsy hands are power- 
less to combat; even if the gallantry of her opponent cannot be 
reckoned upon, being an infinitesimal quantity, she can perhaps 
worry him into doing what she wishes done. 

Perhaps it was not in this way that Miss Boyd secured the 
order from Gren. Dix, permitting her to return to the family res- 
idence at Front Royal; certainly Gen. Dix was not so well 
convinced of her perfect innocence but that he directed that she 

should be kept under strict surveillance. 

171 



172 A Southern Heroine. 

The lady was anxious to proceed to Eichmond, where she had 
many friends and relatives ; but the pass given her in Baltimore 
was only to Winchester, and it was with considerable difficulty 
that at that point she obtained the document which would enable 
her to get to Front Royal. Here Gen. Shields himself was in 
command, his headquarters being in the very mansion where 
Miss Belle had hoped to find a temporary home. 

Her aunt's family was at home in a small cottage in the court- 
yard, and here their guest was received. Having duly refresh- 
ed the inner woman, she addressed a polite little note to the offi- 
cer in command, requesting the favor of a personal interview. 
She had expected to be informed of the hour at which the gener- 
al would receive her, but with true Milesian gallantry. Gen. 
Shields forgot his official position, and remembered only that he 
was a gentleman. 

He was of course received with the courtesy due to him in both 
waj's, and Miss Belle lost no time in preferring her request. 

" A pass to Richmond ?" he repeated, quizzically ; " I am ex- 
tremely sorry to refuse you. Miss Boyd, but the fact is, that I 
am compelled, by consideration for your own safety, to refuse 
the document." 

" I do not understand you, sir," replied the lady, who was in 
truth not a little puzzled by his giving such a reason. 

" The case is just this," he replied, with an air of great mys- 
tery; "old Jackson's army is between here and Richmond, and 
they are so badly demoralized that I dare not trust a young 
and charming lady to their tender mercies." 

" I am entirely willing to trust myself, Gen. Shields, in the 
hands of any Confederate force in the field," retorted the lady, 
determined to show him that he could not compliment her into 
silence on the subject of her desires; "and if you will only give 
me the pass, I will sign a paper absolving you from all respon- 
sibility in this connection." 

Her tone, like his, was that of the lightest badinage; but under 
the light and sparkling exterior there lay, in both cases, a deter- 
mination as firm as if they had shown it in their manner. 

" Ah," he made answer, " I fear you do not realize what you 
would undertake ; and I really cannot accept your proposition. 
But I will compromise with you; I am fully aware that you 
would outwit me sooner or later, were I to attempt to detain you 
here always, so I will promise you this: we are going to whip 



A Southern Heroine. 173 

Jackson out of his boots pretty soon, and then the road to Rich- 
mond will be safer, and you shall have the pass." 

Something more to the same effect followed, and though the 
lady tried her best, the soldier persisted in his refusal, veiling it 
under assurances of the most friendy consideration for her wel- 
fare. In short, for the time the cunning woman was completely 
baffled. 

She did not allow herself to be blinded to the real state of af 
fairs, however, though the wily Irishman thought that he had 
succeeded in doing so. Her quick wit saw the meaning of 
many remarks which he allowed himself to let fall, and which 
he fondly imagined would be all Greek to a young lady; and she 
could not only understand the information thus given, but she 
could forward it to the enemy whom Gen. Shields boasted he 
was going to " whip out of his boots." 

To all appearances they were the best of friends; and some of 
the young officers on the general's staff whom he introduced to 
her, were equally forgetful of the mighty struggle raging about 
them. Indeed, she obtained not a little information of consid- 
erable importance to the Confederates from one of these officers, 
who of course was wholly unconscious of giving aid and comfort 
to the enemies of his country. 

At last Gen. Shields decided to make a movement of some 
importance which he had contemplated for some time past. 
Thanks to her friend the captain. Miss Belle was fully acquaint- 
ed with the fact that the forces were about to be removed from 
Front Royal, but definite information as to their objective point 
and other particulars she could not obtain without cross-ques- 
tioning him, and she feared to excite his suspicions by seeming 
to take an interest in the movements of the troops; nor was her 
tender solicitude as to the whereabouts of one particular staff- 
officer productive of anything more than a vow to be at her side 
as often as the duty of a soldier would allow. 

Now, the gallant captain was a very pleasant companion, es- 
peciallj^ when she could, without exciting his suspicions, worm 
from him any information which his position on Gen. Shield's 
staff made him the master of; but vows of eternal constancy 
were not a satisfactory substitute, and the lady, in her impati- 
ence, could hardly refrain from telling him so. She restrained 
herself, however, and cudgeled her wits for some other mode of 
getting certain and reliable intelligence of their plans. A council 



174 



A Southern Heroine. 




of war was to be held on a certain night ; the next morning the 
troops would probably be on the move and the Confederates 
must know their intentions. 

Considering the matter calmly, Miss Belle finally absolved the 
ca2:)tain from the charge of tantalizing cruelty which she had 
privately made against him; not even a staff-officer could tell 
more than he knew, and no one could exactly foretell what 
would be the result of their deliberations that Jiight; she would 
have no interview with the captain afterward ; it was clear, 
then, that she must be an auditor at their deliberations. 

It would seem that such a determination was more easily 
formed than executed ; but she was Avell a\vare of the means on 

which she could depend. The 
f'ouncil, as she knew, would be 
held in the apartment formerly 
used as a drawing-room ; direct- 
ly over this was a bed-room, now 
untenanted. Through the floor 
of the closet opening into this 
chamber a hole had been bored, 
to serve some long-forgotten pur- 
pose. This was her post of ob- 
servation, and a better one she 
could not have had. 

The occupants of the cottage 
which we have mentioned as used 
by the family whose residence 
Gren. Shields had temporarily 
appropriated for himself and his 
staff, were of course so far privi- 
leged as to be unquestioned in 
the-i r mo vemen ts about the 
grounds and the larger edifice. It awakened no suspicion, then, 
if any of the Federals chanced to see Miss Belle, about the time 
that the council was to assemble, stealing noiselessly through 
the halls and up the stairs of the larger house. But in all prob- 
ability she was unobserved as she left her own apartment, and 
made her way to that spacious front chamber. Applying her 
ear to that blessed perforation (for so she could not help but 
style it to herself), she found, to her great satisfaction, that she 
could hear distinctly every word that was uttered ; and although 




/- 



"He?" veri/ life see?ned centered in 
her ears." 



A Southern Heroine. 175 

she could not see them, she was sufficiently familiar with their 
voices to distinguish the utterances of each individual, and thus 
tlie conference was much more intelligible to her than it would 
have been to a stranger. 

Hour after hour she lay there, prostrate upon the floor of 
the closet; for the conference was a long one, and many points 
of importance were discussed. She dared not stir a limb, she 
scarcely dared to breathe, lest her presence be detected ; and 
she well knew what would bo the result. For herself she eared 
less than for the inevitable loss of the assistance which she hoped 
to render this very night to the Confederacy. Her very life 
seemed centered in her ears; every word was treasured in her 
memory, for she knew not how much of this information might 
be of incalculable value to the army which she served. Mid- 
night came, and found them still debating and arranging; an- 
other hour passed, and at last they arose from the council table 
and separated until the morning. As they passed out into the 
hall, she stole to the head of the back stairs; the coast was 
clear; they had not thought it worth while to post a guard an}'- 
where near the council chamber, and in her inmost heart she 
blessed them for this disregard of the usual military precaution. 

Silently she crept to the back door of the hall, keeping care- 
fully in the shadows. She heard their regular tread as they as- 
cended the broad stairway ; then they went each to the room in 
which he was to sleep that night for the last time. Not until 
she heard the last one close his door behind him, did she ven- 
ture to turn the knob softl}^ 

But she was not jQt ready to set out on the perilous errand of 
transmitting this information to the Southern officer whom she 
knew was most easily reached. Stealing across the court-yard, 
she entered the cottage and went straight to her own room. 
Here, by the light of a single carefully shaded candle (for her 
jtast services to the Confederacy were such that anything unus- 
ual might be the means of arousing the suspicions of some wake- 
ful officer), she wrote down in the cypher with which she had 
been furnished every word of the discussion which her retentive 
memory supplied. This she regarded as a necessary precaution, 
for she could not tell how brief the interview would have to be. 
At last, however, the task was completed. 

But the most difficult part of her work remained to be done. 
Ashby must be informed of the intentions of his enemy. There 



176 A Southern Heroine. 

were plenty of servants around who would have done anything 
for Miss Belle ; for a sort of personal magnetism seems to ha.ve 
been one of the most effective weapons in her well-stocked arm- 
ory ; but on any of them she dared not call. A foot-fall a trifle 
too heavy, a gleam of light from an unshaded lantern, the sound 
of a whispering voice — any of these things so unusual at that 
hour, might arouse a soldier, and then good-bye to all hopes of 
rendering assistance to the Southern forces, either at that time or 
any other. It was alone, then, that she made her way to the 
stables, treading as softly as the cat stealing into the dairy when 
the mistress is in sight. Her. own saddle-horse stood thei-e 
fleet and spirited ; she well knew what absolute dependence she 
might place upon him. Hastily saddling him, she led him slowly 
out of the stable-yard, mufiiing his foot-falls by guiding him 
along the grassy edges of the carriage-way. Once out of the 
grounds of her aunt's house, she had less need of caution j speed 
was more essential; for the sound of hoofs along the highway 
need not excite suspicion. Away she galloped, shaping her 
course rather by the stars than by roads, straight towards the 
point at which Col. Ashby had had his headquarters when she had 
last communicated with him. But suddenly it seemed as if she 
had met with a diflSculty which she could not surmount. Straight 
in her way stood a sentinel, in the well-known blue. 

"Halt! Who goes there?" he demanded in stereotyped 
phrase. 

"A friend, with a pass from Gen. Shields," she answered 
boldly. 

The night was a clear, starlight one, but there was no moon ; 
she had in her possession a pass which she had that very day 
procured from the Federal commandant for a Confederate sol- 
dier returning South after being exchanged; this she determin- 
ed to make use of, tTusting that the sentry would not deem a 
close examination necessary after he saw that the document was 
drawn up in due form. 

The man extended his hand for the paper which she had drawn 
from her bosom, and glanced at it; his eyes, accustomed to the 
darkness, could discern that it was on a printed form, and he 
saw that the familiar signature was appended. He therefore 
handed it back to her, and lowered the weapon with which he 
had at first barred her passage. She was safe from him. 
Onward she galloped, only to be again brought to a standstill 



A Southern Heroine. 



177 



by the sentiy of the outer chain ; for there were two lines of 
guards about the town. But this second one proved to be no 
more suspicious of evil than his comrade had been, and she pass- 
ed him Avith as little delay. And now she was free from the sur- 
veillance of the enemy; and she taxed her horse's speed to the ut- 
most. Away, almost on the wings of the wind, across fields, 
through groves, along the highwa}", skirting the dangerously 
soft ground of the intervening marshes, faster, faster still, until 
she was fifteen miles from her starting-point. 

She drew rein before a large, 
rambling dwelling, of plain 
but substantial aspect. This 
was her destination for the 
present, for here, as she had 
good reason for being sure, 
the daring and dashing Col. 
Ashby had for some time had 
his headquarters; and he 
would find sure means of trans- 
mitting any information of 
importance to his chief, the 
famous "Stonewall" Jackson. 

Springing from her horse, 
she ran lightly up the steps of 
the mansion, and fairly thun- 
dered at the door. In her im- 
patience, the minutes seemed 
interminable, and after the 
lapse of a time so short that 
the echo of the original sound 
had not died away, she repeat- 
ed the summons in the same 
vehement manner. 

"Who's there?" came the 
sharp query, in a woman's 
voice, from the window just 

over the door ^'''"^ Lrgent jShduiyht i\feis.f(it/e. 

She recognized the speaker as Mrs. M , the mistress of the 

mansion, and knew at once that Col. Ashby was not to be found 
there, or the summons would not have been answered by a 
woman. 




178 A Southern Serohie. 

"Belle Boyd," came the answer, in quick, nervous tones, that 
betrayed the excitement of the newcomer. 

"Belle Boyd!" echoed the elder lady, who had expected to 
hear the answer come in a man's deep voice; then added, hastily: 
" wait a minute ; I'll come down." 

"It is Col. Ashby that I want to see," replied the spy;" 
'' where is he?" 

But the lady had already disappeared from the window, and 
soon opened the door to her unexpected guest. 

'^' My dear," she exclaimed, with motherly solicitude for the 
girl whom she had known since infancy, "you surelj'' do not 
mean to say that you have come from Front Royal to-night. Who 
is with you ?" 

" I am alone," returned the young lady, as calmly as if such 
midnight jaunts were quite the approved thing for an unprotec- 
ted female ; " and since I have come all this distance in this man- 
ner, you may know how urgent is my errand to Col. Ashby; 
where is he?" 

"He is in camp, a quarter of a mile away, in the woods," re- 
plied Mrs. M , anxiously considering the possibility of finding 

an escort for her young friend. 

"At the same camp as before?" asked Miss Belle; "then, 
good-bye, for I am oyf." 

And before the astonished elder lady could utter a word of re- 
monstrance, she had run down the steps and was in the act of re- 
mounting. Just at this juncture a familiar voice accosted her: 

" From what cloud did you drop, Miss Belle ?" 

" It seems to be nearer the point to ask from what cloud you 
have dropped. Col. Ashby," she retorted, saucily, as she turned 
from, her horse toward the door at which he had so unexpected- 
ly appeared ; having changed his plans after seeing Mrs. M ,. 

and returned without her knowledge to the house. 

" Is it really you, or am 1 dreaming?" he continued, scarcely 
able even yet to realize the situation. 

" I have a strong impression that it is the real Belle Boyd, and 
not the baseless fabric of a vision," she rejoined, mockingly; 
" and when you have heard my story, perhaps you will realize 
that 3^ou are as wide awake as you ever were." 

Briefly she told of that night's council of war; of her post of 
vantage; of the many plans discussed; of those which were re- 
garded with favor, and of route and destination decided upon. 



A Hioidhern Heroine. 179 

"And here," she concluded, " is the whole thing written out 
in the cypher agreed upon, so that you can study it at your leis- 
ure." 

The warmth of the thanks was no doubt in proportion to the 
value of the services rendered and the difficulties which the fair 
spy had encountered and surmounted. 

"And now, my dear," put in Mrs. M , who had been anx- 
iously waiting for this conference to end, "come in and rest a 
while ; you must be nearly tired to death." 

"No, I am not tired," replied the younger lady ;" that is, not 
so very; and I must be back at Front Eoyal before daylight." 

" You can never do it in the world," ejaculated the good soul; 
"ride back through all that lonely distance !" 

" It is no lonelier than when I came," returned the heroic girl, 
laughing banteringly at the horrified tone in which the remon- 
strance was uttered ; " and besides, I am taking good care of my- 
self in going; for ifl did not return, they would see into the 
whole thing, and if they ever caught me, they would be sure to 
hang me as a spy." 

"I don't believe oven the Yankees would hang a lady," began 

Mrs. M , in a tone of deep conviction ; but the person whose 

fate was thus being discussed cut the debate short with a laugh- 
ing adieu, and galloped off. 

Her night's work was not yet at an end ; for as she was aware 
and had hinted to her friend, any suspicion of her doings v/ould 
not only result in her own apprehension, but in such a change of 
the enemy's plans as to make the information, obtained and trans- 
mitted with such difficulty, practically worthless. 

She chose a slightly different road in returning, hoping to 
elude the sentries, as her pass would hardly account for her 
speedy return. In this effort she was only partially successful. 
She managed to pass the outer chain wholly unobserved, and was 
now approaching the inner line. Once within that charmed cir- 
cle, she would be safe ; for although the proverbial " darkest 
hour" of the night was rapidly drawing to a close, sheknewthat, 
if unhindered, she would be able to reach the shelter of her own 
chamber before the Federal drums should sound the reveille. A 
few whispered words of encouragement, and her tired horse 
pricked up his ears, and nerved himself to fresh efforts. She 
hoped to dash unquestioned by the sentinel, whom from his pos- 
ture she judged was sleeping at his post. One moment more, and 
12 



180 A Southern Heroine. 

she would be safe, for even if he awoke just as she passed, a sud- 
den turn in the road at this point would shelter her from sight. 

But alas for her calculations. The sleeping sentry awoke, not 
as she passed, but as she approached. He challenged her; she^ 
knowing that her only chance was in flight, urged her horse on- 
ward; he raised his gun. 

"Halt!" he cried in tones loud enough, it seemed to her, to 
arouse Gen. Shields himself. 

She dashed onward, and hoped to escape so ; nor was she mis- 
taken ; the abrupt turn in the road was an effectual shield. And 
she was too well acquianted with the rules of war to fear the sen- 
try would betray her; he could not do so without confessing that 
he had slept upon his post — a capital offense in a soldier. 

At last she had reached her starting-point. Unsaddling her 
horse, and providing for his comfort, she entered the cottage, 
and gained her own chamber just as the first rosy streaks appear- 
ed in the eastern sky. 

Leaving a sufficient force at Front Royal to hold the Confed- 
erates at bay, Gen. Shields set out on the jjroposed expedition ; 
but if he was not exactly the counterpart of the gallant Seces- 
sionist who, as the poet relates : 

" Went out to capture Yankees — 
— But the Yankees captured him " — 

he certainly did not succeed in whipping the redoubtable Stone- 
wall "out of his boots." How far this was due to the efforts 
of Belle Boyd is a question for the reader to determine. 



A SPY'S ADYENTURE. 

The Spy — His Work Done — Leaving the Camp — ^Hunting the Boat — A Vain Search 
— His Character Suspected in Camp — Pursued — Bloodhounds — The Stream 
— Nearly Caught— The Dog's Fate— The Spy's Escape. 

THE spy's life is one of danger, while he is but little honored 
even by those whom he serves. He is a base creature — he 
who stoops to deceive ; and the name of his office is a synonym of 
much that is vile and nothing that is good. If he performs his 
services, he receives, sometimes, the thanks and praise of the 
commander, but his comrades look upon him with a feelingthat 
is half jealousy, half contempt; if he fails, there is but one mode 
of punishing him — that reserved for the meanest of criminals; 
the form of death which Andre prayed might be spared him, 
which Hale so heroically endured. And the spy's name is re- 
membered only by those at home, who have waited so patiently 
for his letters. 

Yet the work is difficult, and extremely necessary. In spite of 
the dangers it presents, of the slight regard in which the indi- 
vidual is held, there are men who willingly undertake and reso- 
lutely perform it. As the boy delights to dart over the places 
marked " dangerous," and thinks rather of the going where no 
one else dare venture than of the black waters under the thin ice, 
so the man finds a certain satisfaction in undertaking a task more 
perilous than his comrades will essay, and no shadow of a noose 
falls across his calmly courageous mind. Yet the boy who hears 
the ice cracking beneath his feet feels the chill waters already 
engulfing him; and the spy who finds one part of his plan fail 
him feels an uncomfortable stricture of the windpipe. Let us 
follow the fortunes of a certain Missourian, who, in the spring and 
181 



182 A Spy^s Adventure. 

summer of 1862, had been acting in this capacity for Gen. Curtis, 
commanding in Missouri and Arkansas. 

His name has not been preserved in any of the various records 
that have come down to us from the days of the war ; for to have 
published it then, or while sectional feelingM^as still bitter, though 
open combat was ended, would have been worse than i:selessj it 
would have been fraught with the greatest danger to the spy. 
Let us recount the story of one of his adventures, then ; a story 
which, though unsupported by his name, rests upon the best au- 
thorities of its own time. 

Ten days had been spent in hanging around the outskirts of 
the camp, talking, laughing, drinking, betting with the Confeder- 
ates, and cautiously securing as much information as possible 
without arousing suspicion. At last he had obtained satisfactory 
answers to all the questions which had been given to him, and 
he determined to get back to the Federal lines while his news 
was still fresh enough to be of value. Stealing away from his 
late boon companions, he bent his steps towards the stream 
where he had concealed his skiif. 

The night was a dark one. The feeble rays of the new moon 
were wholly obscured by the thick clouds that had gathered over 
the sky, hiding the stars, and threatening every moment to pour 
a torrent of rain upon the parched earth. The spy stole silently 
onward, cautious as an Indian approaching an unsuspicious foe 
that not a twig should snap under his foot. So he stole past the 
pickets, though compelled to make a wide detour in order to es- 
cape their watchful eyes. He reached the border of the wood 
that fringed the stream, and peered through the darkness in the 
direction where only the sullen murmur of the waters betrayed 
the presence of the rivulet; but, in the intense darkness, not a 
landmark could be discerned. He stooped to the earth, and 
groped along on his hands and knees; but could find nothing 
familiar, nothing to tell him where he was. Yet he was so nojir 
to the Confederate pickets that the slightest sound might betray 
him. 

Under the shelter of the thick bushes that, growing out fi-oin 
the side of the bank, lined the edge of the stream, there was 
hidden his boat; but where? Was it above or below him, and 
how far? As he vainly endeavored to find some familiar object, 
hoAvever trifling, a cold sweat bathed every limb. His character 
would be revealed by his departure; how soon his enemies would 



A Spy's Adventure. 183 

find out that he had gone he could not tell • it might be discovered 
an hour hence, it might have been noticed already. The plash- 
ing of the stream against its banks, the shrill noise of insects, the 
plaintive song of the whip-poor-will, the deep bass of the frogs, 
all united in a chorus of mockery at his perilous and utterly help- 
less state. 

The Federal pickets must be reached before dawn, or our spy 
would stretch Confederate rope — one of those grim acorns which 
the old French king loved to see hanging from the oaks around 
his summer castle. There was not a moment to be lost; the boat 
could not be found, and he prepared to wade and swim the stream 
that separated the two armies. Cautiously he descended the 
steep bank, clinging to the bushes to preserve his footing; a 
single misstep, a single unwary movement, a stone displaced and 
rolling into the water, might alarm the enemy; for he knew not 
but that there was a guard within a bayonet's length. He gained 
at last the narrow strip of wet and sandy shore that borders the 
shoaling stream, and stepped cautiously into the water. Not a 
moment too soon had he made the resolution to cross without 
further search for his boat; for as he felt the cool current upon 
his fevered skin, he heard the deep bay of a bloodhound. The 
enemy had already discovered his absence, suspected his mission 
and started in pursuit. The unerring instinct of their terrible 
ally had put them at once on his track. 

There was still hope of eluding them, however, for the hound 
would lose the scent at the edge of the stream ; the bloodhound's 
instinct, like the witch's power, cannot crossthemidst of the cui-- 
rent. But to cross directly was to expose himself to their view, 
in case the clouds should for one instant draw away from the 
sky; he dared not risk it. Wading down the stream, still shel- 
tered from sight by the overhanging bushes, he heard the pur- 
suers coming nearer and nearer ; he could hear the dog pushing 
aside the branches as he made his way along the bank, search- 
ing for the lost scent. The uneasy growls of the brute were 
music in the ear of the spy, for they told that the scent had been 
lost — might it long be unfound ! 

Devoutly praying thus, his knee suddenly struck upon some- 
thing harder than the water, more regular in form than a stone. 
It was the gunwale of a boat. In the joyful surprise of the mo- 
ment, he could hardly repress the cry that rose to his lips ; and 
with trembling hands he began to search for the j)ainter almost 



184 A Spy's Adventure. 

before he was fairly in the little vessel. It was found, and the 
boat, the very one which he had sought so unsuccessfully, was cut 
loose from her moorings just as the moon came out from behind 
a cloud and revealed the surroundings. In all probability, the 
pursuers had no boat near; they would be obliged to lose time 
which would be of incalculable advantage to him. 

But the sudden glimpse of the moonlight showed him more 
than the boat in the dark waters, shadowed by the overhanging 
bushes. On the log, half-buried in the earth, to which his boat 
had been secured, crouched the bloodhound; and as the spy cut 
the rope and grasped the oars, the dog sprang towards him. With 
desperate energy the soldier pushed off, hoping that the animal 
might miss his mark and fall into the river; but it was of no 
avail. The savage brute had sprung at the throat of his prey; 
he fell short of that, indeed, as the boat darted from the shore, 
but he clung with a firm hold to the side of the boat. 

The spy raised an oar, and aimed a blow at the brute's head ; 
but the dog evaded the stroke. In his effort to do so, however, 
and the sudden movement of the man, the boat careened side- 
ways, and the water rushed in, in a torrent. The blow evaded, 
the dog, to enable himself to scramble into the boat, seized the 
gunwale in his teeth. Action must be quick, now, if the spy 
would escape, for in a moment more the dog would be at his 
throat. His revolver was aimed and cocked; but a shot would be- 
tray his whereabouts to his human enemies, and would be answer- 
ed by a shower of balls from them. He dared not shoot, then, 
though the red eyes of the hound were glaring savagely at him, 
though the dog was making strenuous efforts to spring into the 
boat. 

There was but one resource remaining. Throwing the pistol 
from him into the bottom of the boat, the spy drew his bowie- 
knife, keen as a razor, and shining blue in the fitful moonlight. 
He leaned towards the dog, and in an instant more had drawn 
the sharp edge from side to side across the animal's throat, cut- 
ting through the brawn and muscles to the nape of the neck. 
The red eyes, that had gleamed so furiously upon him, lost their 
dreadful lustre; the grasp of the firm white teeth on the gun- 
wal^relaxed ; the huge body sank into the water that closed 
above it with hardly a ripple ; and he was safe from the one 
pursuer. 

Five minutes more, and the spy had reached the opposite 



186 



A Spi/'s Adventure 




A Spy's Adventure. 187 

shore. He was safe; for the Confederates dared not follow him 
to a point so near the Federal lines. That very night he gave 
his information at headquarters, and in a few days was, in an- 
other disguise, seeking for ''green fields and pastures new" 
among the enemy's tents. 



"j:iHyvpTEi^ 7Y|. 



ESCAPING THE DEATH-PENALTY. 

At Lexington — A Violated Parole — Alton Penitentiary — Solitary Confinement — 
A Mj'sterious Door — The jVIystery Solved — DifSculties of tlie Undertaking — 
The Tunnel — A Friendly Boatman — Alarmed — Puzzled Guards — A Generous 
Comrade — Final Escape. 

A PRISONER of war, Avho had been tried by a court-martial, 
found guilty of one of the gravest otfenses known to niil- 
tary law, and condemned to death, would most certainly be so 
closely guarded as to prevent all effort at escape. The one with 
whom our present story deals, was confined in an upper room of 
a strong building, through the iron-barred Avindows of which 
many another prisoner had looked, in vain longing, at the free 
air without. To this apartment there was but one mode of ac- 
cess, a door opening upon an outside staircase ; and here a sen- 
tinel was stationed da}^ and night. This stairway led down into 
an inclosure surrounded by walls fifteen or eighteen feet high, 
guarded as vigilantly as prison yards usually are. What were 
the chances of escape for such a man ? 

Col. Ebenezer Magoffin, a prominent citizen of Pettis Co., Mo., 
and a brother of Gov. Beriah Magoffin of Kentucky, was held at 
Lexington, Mo., as a prisoner. It became necessary for him to 
attend to some private business of importance, and as his deten- 
tion was only a precautionary measure, he was paroled to en- 
able him to do so. During his absence. Gen. Price drew his 
lines closer and closer around the beautiful eminence on which 
the Northern forces were entrenched; the besiegers cut the 
garrison off from the river; the cisterns within the fortifications 
went dry; and in September, 1861, the fjunishing Federals sur- 
rendered. 

.188 



Escaping the Death-Penalty. 189 

Col. Magoffin heard of the capitulation, and supposed himself 
free, since to return to Col. Mulligan would be to place himself 
in the custody of that officer's captor. Acting on this opinion, he 
joined a body of something more than six hundred volunteers 
from that portion of the State, whose purpose it was to report to 
G-en. Price. But this intention was frustrated by a force of wary 
Federals, who captured the whole regiment at their camp on 
Blackwater. 

Col. Magoffin of course supposed that he would be treated as 
the other prisoners were with whom he was talvcn. Instead of 
this, he was brought before a court-martial for breaking his parole. 
The Federal authorities claimed that when he heard of Mulligan's 
capture, he should have surrendered himself to some official, civ- 
il or military, of the United States Grovernment. Under this in- 
terpretation of his duty he was of course guilty; and so the court- 
martial decided. 

The offense was a capital one, and the condemned man was 
placed in solitary confinement in one of the cells of the Peniten- 
tiary at Alton, Illinois, whither the prisoners had been removed 
after six weeks' incarceration in McDowell's Medical College 
(Gratiot St. Prison) in St. Louis. 

So much of explanation is not only due to Col. Magoffin, as 
showing that he had not intentionally committed the offense es- 
teemed most dishonorable in an officer and a gentleman, but is 
necessary to the proper understanding of some portions of our 
story. 

Then, as always, political influence availed much, even for a 
condemned " Eebel"; and a respite was secured, pending efforts 
to procure a pardon. The Penitentiary building had been aban- 
doned by the State of Illinois, on account of the insalubrity of 
its situation ; the dampness of the cells being the cause of much 
sickness and some deaths among the convicts. Its use as a mili- 
tary prison was open to the same objection, as was shown by the 
mortalit}^ among the prisoners. Confinement in the cells was 
especially injurious, and Col. Magoffin's health had suffered ser- 
iously. It was represented to the authorities that although they 
might have a right to execute him for an offense which military 
law decrees shall be so punished, they had no right to kill him 
by inches J especially as he had been respited for the express 
purpose of bringing the matter before the President, that he 
might decide if the parole had really been broken. The prison- 



190 Escaping the Death-Penalty. 

cr was accordingly removed to another apartment, drier than 
the cell, but considered equally secure. 

In order to understand clearly the diflScultiesof escape and the 
means by which they were surmounted, some description of the 
jjrison grounds will be necessary. 

The Penitentiary was situated on ground gently rising from the 
left bank of the Mississippi, north of the city of Alton. On the 
western side rises a high, steep hill, almost from the base of the 
wall; only the sentinel's walk, close under the masonry, being 
leveled. In thesouthwestern corner of the prison-yard, over- 
looking the river, is a two-storj' building, intended to serve for 
the offices of the Penitentiary, at the date of our story used for 
the headquarters of the regiment on guard duty there. Adjoin- 
ing this, and extending along the western wall of the yard, was 
ihe higher building containing the cells; in this the ordinary- 
prisoners were quartered during the night, their beds being laid 
in frame bunks opposite the entrances to the cells, along the 
corridors of the different tiers. These two buildings may be 
considered as forming a single oblong, with a partition nearer 
the southern than the northern end. Extending westward from 
it was another much smaller, two stories in height, which the 
writer's informant believed had been used as the female prison. 
This joined the others, but extended only a few feet south of the 
partition wall ; so that the staircase, leading directly south from 
a door opening from the second story of this smaller building, 
ended very near the entrance to that in which the cells were lo- 
cated. 

Col. Magoffin was confined in the second story of this smaller 
structure; and, as before stated, there was a perpetual guard 
placed at the only entrance. If, as some of his friends in pris- 
on surmised, he had feigned a greater prostration than his ill- 
ness had actually produced, he had certainly failed to gain any 
advantage thereby. It was of course impossible for a man with- 
out tools or assistance, and closely watched, to escape from one 
of the cells. But was he any better off now? As month after 
month passed on, and executive clemency failed to remand him 
to the general prison, his comrades became exceedingly anx- 
ious. They felt that some plan of escape must be devised; but 
how should the}^ elude the vigilance of the sentinel especially 
posted to guard him? A peculiarity in the construction of the 
building, however, made this the easier part of their task. 



E^onping the Death-Penalty. 191 

Two sons of Colonel Magoffin had been captured at Black- 
water, and one of them was permitted to visit him, in order to 
attend him in his illness. Being, of course, allowed all the priv- 
ileges which the other prisoners enjoj-ed, and free to go back 
and forth from his father's bedside to the prison-yard, subject 
only to the surveillance of the soldier at the door, ho was a most 
valuable medium of communication with the world without the 
condemned man's cell. 

It was after one of these visits that the young man was ob- 
served by an intimate friend intently studying that part of the 
wall which formed the partition between the cell-building and 
the. old female prison. 

" What's the matter, Bee?" inquired this friend, using the 
nickname by which Mr. Magoffin was familiarly known. 

" It's the strangest thing I ever saw," was the answer, in a low 
tone, as the speaker glanced cautiously about him, to make sure 
that his words were heard by no other ear than that for which 
they were intended. "I never saw a door that did not come 
through, until now." 

The other man, who was engaged upon some one of those nu- 
merous pieces of carving with which many of the prisoners 
whiled away their time, looked up inquiringly. 

" It's a fact," was the earnest reply to the look. 

"I suppose it is," answered the carver, dryly; "doors are 
generally cut clear through the wall." 

"Don't speak so loud," said Magoffin, coming nearer to him; 
" it is a serious matter, for it may be a chance for father." 

The carver dropped his work in his surprise. 

"I rolled a big wardrobe in father's room out this morning, 
and found a door that ought to come through just about here, 
but there's no sign of it on this side." 

" Maj^be it opens into the officers' quarters," suggested his 
auditor. 

"It cannot," replied young Magoffin decidedly; "you see, I 
thought of that myself at first; but I have just been making as 
careful measurements as I dared, and I find it ought to open in- 
to a passage-way ending just about here." 

" Then it is not only a door, but a whole passage-way that has 
mysteriously disappeared ?" 

Magoffin nodded, and strolled slowly away; for if the door 
was to be found and opened, not a guard must suspect that any 



192 Escaping Hie Death- Penalty. 

prisoner knew of its existence. What had become of the other 
end of that suppositious passage, on the other side of the door 
so long concealed from view? There was nothing to conceal 
any opening here — only a bare, blank, plastered wall, where 
there was no trace of any mode of access to another part of the 
building. 

The bit of soft, fine-grained gray stone, which the prisoner 
had been fashioning into a pipe (they had cut many such pieces 
from the walls of McDowell's College, until the authorities 
feared lest they might destroy the building, and forbade it) lay 
untouched by his side as he sat revolving the matter in his mind. 

It was in the early days of the war, before the ingenuity of 
scores of men, resolved upon freedom at the cost of any amount 
of danger or labor, had taught prison guards the necessity for 
constant watchfulness, by day as well as by night, inside the 
prison walls as well as about its bounds. It is only by remem- 
bering that this was the early summer of 1862, that we can un- 
derstand how they could secure the necessary freedom from ob- 
servation. 

The carver seemed deep in a brown study, until aroused bj^ 
the sound of footsteps. It was Magoffin returning. 

" Is the coast clear ?" was the first question. 

" It was to make sure of that, that I went out," was the reply. 

His companion nodded approval, well knowing that a son of 
the condemned man would be more liable to suspicion than an}- 
one else, not only from his greater interest, but because he was 
the only one of the prisoners who could possibly know of the 
existence of the concealed door. 

"I don't believe there is any passage-way at all," announced 
the confidante, with an air of firm conviction. 

" Why?" was the brief query in reply. 

"It isn't reasonable that there should be. Think of it a mo- 
ment, and you will be convinced. There would be no reason 
whatever for cutting a door from the second story of that build- 
ing into one of these corridors; this is the level of the second 
range of cells; and the floor of your father's room is just about 
half-way between the floor of this and that of the range above. 
Any door from that building to this would open from the ground 
floor of this. See?" 

"You mean, I suppose, that there is a staircase leading direct 
from father's room to this cell-buildinc; ?" 



Escapimj the JJeath-Penalty, 193 

"Exactly; and now let us go down stairs and see if there is 
any sign of a door in that wall." 

Down stairs they accordingly went, although both had seen 
the wall a hundrsd times, and knew perfectly well that there 
was no door there. 

" I did not think that there was," observed Magoffin. 

For answer, the carver applied his pocket-knife, which he still 
held open in his hand, to the blank wall. In a moment Magoffin 
came to his assistance with a similar tool. A very little work 
served to penetrate the plastering, and they saw behind a small 
not-work of lath and studding a surface of painted iron. They 
had found one of the doors through which the solitary must pass 
on his way to liberty, if at all. True, even if this door were open- 
ed, Col. Magoffin would be no nearer to freedom than the others 
were, but it was something to have him as near. 

The two men paused from their labors and looked at each other 
without a word of comment on their success. It was now certain 
that the surmised staircase had an actual existence, and that this 
was the door at its foot, as that in Col. Magoffin's room was at its 
head. To penetrate to this door, to unlock this and the other, to 
find a means of exit from the walled and guarded enclosure sur- 
rounding all these different buildings, all without attracting the 
attention of the Federals on guard — these were the tasks that 
still lay before them. 

The prisoners were allowed considerable liberty inside the 
buildings and in the prison-j-ard j and most fortunately they 
could depend upon any work done in this dark corner of the cell- 
building being wholly safe from other eyes than their own; for 
every man attended to his own bed, and the buildings were not 
inspected by the guards ; the commander of the regimentposted 
there relying upon the vigilance of the sentinels. 

Of course it would be necessary to tunnel under the walls ; but 
here another difficulty presented itself: the town, intensely loyal, 
as a matter of course, lay to the east; on the northern side there 
were manj'' dwellings; to the south was the river, plainly visible 
from the headquarters of the guard, its gently sloping bank 
wholly devoid of shelter. What remained then but to make their 
exit on the west side? But west of the yard rose the hill, 
while between the wall and the hill a sentry paced his watchful 
round. 

The case could hardly be called a promising one, and yet thej^ 



19.4 



Escaping the fJiath-Penalty. 



undertook it cheerfully. ''Fortune favors the brave," says the 
proverb; and so it seemed in this case; unless, indeed, their 
ready wit, that could turn every circumstance to account, and 

East. 



/ 















cO 





Iff 



^ 



/ 



/ 



cty 



West. 

Diagram of Escape of Fifty Confederate Prisoners from Old Alton 
Penitentiary. 
a. Adjutant's Office and Headquarter's Prison Guard, h. Cell-Building, c. Form- 
er Female Prison, in which Magoffin was Confined, d. Prisoner's Dining-Room and 
Kitchen, e. Old Bake-Oven Building, used as a Wash-House. /. Excavation for 
Xew Building, where Prisoners Dumped Earth, g. Clothes Backs. A. Gatekeeper's 
Office, i. Gate. j. Hidden Door and Passagc-Way Discovered, k. Tunnel Under 
Wall. l-l. Sentry's Beat. m. Opening of Tunnel on Side of Hill. 

theirwilling hands, thatshrank from no labor as too great, were 
not the chief factors in what the careless observer would call 
their good luck. 

Adjoining the cell-building on the east was a slight frame 
structure, used as a wash-house. That it had not been intended 
for this purpose was shown by the large brick oven which it 
contained. But since the Penitentiary had been abandoned by 
the original owner, this oven was no longer used; so long had 



Escaping the Death-Penalty. 195 

it been neglected that it had fallen into disrepair, and become a 
mere harbor for rubbish of all kinds. A tunnel begun in this 
oven would be as well concealed from the guards as they could 
hope to have it; and it had the additional and very necessary 
advantage of being near to the northern wall. 

The next question that arose was : what shall be done with 
ihe dirt? But to this query, so often a puzzling one in similar 
cases, an answer was ready. An excavation was being made in 
one corner of the j^ard preparatory to the erection of another 
building; and this was a receptacle that would tell no talcs, 
since the men at work on it would never discover how, in the in- 
tervals of their labor, a portion of what they had already ac- 
complished was undone. 

Clothes-lines were of course a forbidden article in the prison, 
as any rope might be made to give help in scaling the walls. To 
supply the place of this necessity of the laundry, the prison au- 
thorities had caused racks to be erected in that part of the yard 
vvhich was bestadai^ted and most available. It was no fault of the 
colonel or any of his subordinates that this point happened to be 
just at one side of the excavation mentioned, work upon which 
had been temporarily abandoned ; for the racks had been placed 
first, and long before Col. Magoffin entered the gates. But the 
men engaged in tunneling found itextremely convenient; a clean 
white sack, carried from the wash-house to the drying-ground, 
could excite no suspicion, for that was the way in which they 
had always carried the wet clothes to the racks; and a judicious 
system of reliefs prevented any remark upon the quantity of 
washing that was being done. 

Matters progressed favorably, their operations being man- 
aged with such care that the guards had not even a suspicion of 
the work going on benoath their very noses. The plaster was 
stripped from the door, and arrangements made to cover the de- 
faced wall so as to conceal their work in case of a cursory exam- 
ination ; though anything like a thorough one would of course 
have put a most effectual damper upon all hopes of the con- 
demned man's escape. The tunnel was almost completed, onlj^ 
a thin crust being left over the end, that no suspicions might be 
aroused by a brokc'A sod. The locks and hinges of both doors 
had been carefully oiled, that no grating sound might fall upon 
a Federal's ear; and keys had been, with no small labor, filed to 

fit the keyholes. 
13 



196 Escaping the Death-Penalty. 

Their preparations were at last completed ; the escape must 
be made at once, for every moment added to the danger of de- 
tection ; and detection meant, for them, the cells, in which some 
of them had already been confined at various times for trifling 
offenses ; while for the man for whose sake chiefly the work was 
undertaken, detection meant a total abandonment of hope. 

In consequence of the heat, the prisoners were allowed a 
somewhat unusual privilege; the door of the cell-building was 
left open, and they had the freedom of the j^ard during the early 
night asAvell as by day. A prisoner who left the bunk in which 
he was quartered and went out for a breath of fresh air, then, 
was violating none of the rules in force, and, consequently', was 
unnoticed by the guard. 

As it happened, one of these men strolled around by the wash- 
house. Nobody was looking, and he entered the shed known hy 
that name; he had not been noticed. He entered the old oven and 
crawled down into the tunnel ; the air was stifling, but he no 
longer felt the same craving for fresh air that he had indulged 
in leaving the cell-building, or else he preferred it fresher and 
freer than could be found within the prison-yard. At last he 
reached the point where he felt the earth above him. Breath- 
lessly he listened to the tread of the sentry, pacing to and fro 
outside the wall, waiting until he had passed the point where the 
tunnel Avas to end; then he broke the sod which was the one 
slight barrier between him and liberty, and quickly ascending 
into the open air, ran up the side of the hill into the deep shad- 
ows that lay upon its slope. 

At the other end of the tunnel there were stationed men who 
anxiously awaited the result. "No news is good news," and 
so it was esteemed in this case; for when a sufficiently long in- 
terval had passed, another made the underground trip. But it 
was not until the entire safety of the effort to reach the outer 
air was well assured that they would permit the chief prisoner 
to try it. B}^ some means friends without had been advised that 
an escape was contemplated, and Col. Magoffin found a skiff" 
awaiting him at the river bank, where, as the oarsman informed 
him, it had been in readiness several nights, as no exact time 
could be fixed in the secret communication. 

And here we would say that there was no collusion on the 
part of any Federal soldier, officer or private. How the fact 
that an escape was being planned was made known to friends 



Escaping the Death- P enalty . 197 

outside, is something which the writer certainly cannot say. 
There were many ingenious devices for sending forbidden news 
in letters which passed under the eyes of Federal officers; for 
instance, one lad}^, in the guise of an innocent bit of family gos- 
sip, informed her husband that Gen. Price was expected to in- 
vade Missouri again, and it maj' have been in some such way 
that the tidings were conveyed. 

More than forty-five had passed safely through the tunnel, and 

had gained the sheltering shadows of the hill. At last Dr. F , 

a large,. stout man, essayed llic passage, but returned. 





.1 Southern Undergrvund Route. 

"They've found it out, boys" he said, in a whisper, to the 
little group of men waiting anxiously in the wash-house j the 
Feds have found it out, and are busy stopping up the tun- 
nel." 

Nothing could be done; they could only return to their quar- 
ters, resolved to give no sign of anything unusual going on. l^ot 
only were their own hopes of escape effectually quenched, but 
they were in great anxiety as to the fate of those who had pass- 
ed through the tunnel ; how many of them would be brought 
back? And if any were captured, would Col. Magoffin be among 
them? 

So they waited for morning to come ; and moiming showed 
them that the alarm had been a false one. The Federal officials 



198 Escaping t/ie Death- Penalty. 

had no suspicion that anything was wrong. Only one guard gave 
any token of a disturbed state of mind — the sergeant stationed 
on that outside staircase which we have described as the only ap- 
parent means of reaching the room where Col.MagoflSn had been 
confined. 

" I wonder if he has discovered that his bird has flown ?" said 
one prisoner to another, noticing the sergeant's uneasiness. 

" Looks mightily like it, was the reply ; "but don't let him 
see you looking at him ; we must play ignorance if we don't want 
to be questioned. The longer they are asking about it, the bet- 
ter start the boys will have." 

Whether or not the sergeant had discovered the flight of his 
charge, the extent of the escape was not known until late in the 
forenoon. 

The prisoners had been divided into squads, the chief of each 
one of which was required to report to the adjutant, every morn- 
ing, the number of his men who were fit for duty, the number sick 
in quarters, and the number in the hospital. Nine o'clock came, 
and the report could be delayed no longer. The chiefs (what there 
were left of them) presented themselves, in somewhat straggling 
order, at headquarters. 

With much surprise the blue-coated adjutant heard the reports. 
It was no unusual thing for a man to be reported as *' missing," 
when the chief had failed to find him before making up his re- 
port; and in such cases the man so reported was immediately 
hunted up by the guards. But he did not know what to make of 
the reports this morning — three, four, or even more men missing 
from a single squad, and some of the chiefs not presenting them- 
selves at all — but suddenly the truth flashed upon him. The alarm 
was at once given, and the whole regiment turned outto huntup 
the missing men. To the bewildered Federals, it seemed that the 
Confederates must have flown over the wall, so well had the start- 
ing-point for the tunnel been chosen, and so carefully had all 
traces ofwork been removed. The ground outside the walls was 
carefully examined, and at last the exit of the tunnel was dis- 
covered ; but they could only find the other end by starting a 
soldier through from the hillside, and looking to see where he 
came out. 

Of course the prisoners were overjoyed at this perplexity of 
the Federals, for every moment which the prison authorities lost 
was gained to those who had escaped. 



Escaping the Death- Penalty, 199 

" How came j^ou to give the alarm last night, when the Feds 
didn't know anything about it until this morning," was asked of 
Dr. F . 

"Well, you see," he answered, "some of the boys had intended 
to take their baggage with them, but found the tunnel a tighter 
fit than they had expected it would be, so they had to leave their 
carpet bags behind them; these things blocked the way so. that 
some of the others had to leave their boots and hatsbehindthem. 
When I got there, the tunnel was pretty full, and as I was pull- 
ing myself through, I just thought that some fellows wouldn't 
have any more sense then to raise a row if they happened to get 
stuck, and that would mean a recapture of Magoffin ; so I thought 
I'd stand Uncle Sam's boarding-house a little while longer. But 
mind you, this is in confidence ; it might make some of the boys 
mad." 

Some few of the prisoners were recaptured ; one of them was 
found in a blackberry patch, without shoes or hat, having dis- 
carded those useful articles in his eagerness to escape; and, being 
arrested on suspicion, was identified at the prison. 

As for the man of most consequence, the prisoners still at the 
Penitentiary heard of him, by thegrape-vine telegraph, at various 
points; in St. Louis Count}^, in Southern Missouri, and finally 
at Little Eock, where, being within the Confederate lines, they 
knew he was safe from the vengeance of Uncle Sam. 

The preparation of the present volume has involved an ex- 
amination of all books and articles on the subject to be found in 
the well-stocked public libraries of large cities, together with 
many newspapers and other periodicals not to be found in such 
accumulations; but the writer is not aware of the foregoing story 
ever having been in print before the present time. Thanks for 
the information on which the article is based are due to a former 
citizen of Saline Co., Mo., himself one of the Confederates con- 
fined in the military prison at Alton at the time of the escape. 
The writer believes all statements of fact accurate and reliable, 
and without in any way impugning the credibility of the other 
stories, would present this as substantially the narrative of an 
eye-witness. 

But there were no more escapes from Alton. It had cost the 
guards nearly fifty prisoners to learn that a watch over the out- 
er walls was not sufficient; but they had learned it. At the 
time at which the Magoffin escape was planned, the fact that a 



200 Escaping the Death- Penalty. 

man was a prisoner showed that he was worthy of confidence j 
but the introduction of detectives in Confederate uniform effec- 
tually put an end to all such enterprises that were to benefit more 
than a very limited number of individuals who were able to 
keep their own secrets even from their friends. 



j^HAPTER XY||. 



NOT QUITE. 

Federal Vengeance — The Confederates Take a Hand — Drawing Lots for Life — A 
Little More Time— His Turn Conies— A Flight Through the Darkness— A 
Grisly Hiding-Place — A Friend in Need — A Familiar Voice — Keady to Sell 
His Life Dearly — Nobody Wants to Buy— Not Quite a Dead Man. 

THE life of a partisan is one of double danger; not only 
must he face the perils which encompass the soldier of the 
regular army, but he is constantly threatened by others peculiar 
to himself. He styles himself a ranger or partisan, and his 
friends claim that he is an accredited soldier of the government 
which is benefited by his services; his enemies often call him a 
bushwhacker, and, if he is so unfortunate as to fall into their 
hands, the consequences, although entirely satisfactorj^ to the 
captors, are (to put it mildly) very apt to be exceedingly unpleas- 
ant to the partisan. 

Such a term as bushwhacker was very frequently applied to 
Mosby's and similar commands during the war ; an erroneous 
application, of course, but still used and acted upon occasionally. 
Our present story deals with such an instance, and the conse- 
quences. 

A body of about fifty men of Mosby's famous command had 
swooped down upon a Federal train, and driven it off toward 
their own camp. A superior force had at once pursued and re- 
captured the ambulances and wagons ; but in the melee in which 
this was accomplished, the horse of a wounded Federal officer be- 
came unmanageable ; the injured man was carried into the midst 
of the flying Confederates, and while there, virtually a prisoner, 
was mortally wounded. He survived long enough to relate the 

201 



202 Not Quite. 

circumstances to his comrades, who speedily came to the spot 
where lie had fallen. Yolunteers were at once called for, to pursue 
the scattered squads of Confederates to their posts of vantage 
among the hills, and avenge on them the death of Lieut. McMaster. 
A sufRcientnumbcrwasreadily obtained, and they were successfnl 
almostimmediately. Six men were taken ; three of these were 
shot on the highway, one within the borders of the town (Front 
Eoyal), and two were hanged. Thus was the young cavalry offi- 
cer avenged. 

This was done by authority of Gen. Torbert, and no effort was 
made to shirk responsibility. The two men were hanged near 
the borders of the town, a paper being fastened to the tree, bear- 
ing their names and the threatening legend : "Such is the fate of 
Mosby's men." 

As may easily be imagined, this action of the Federal general 
awakened the bitterest resentment in the breast of the famous 
partisan and his followers. The men who had been hanged had 
threatened their self-appointed executioners with retaliation in 
kind; and they were not mistaken in their estimation of their 
leader. Mosby in his turn swore that he would avenge the men 
whom he considered murdered in cold blood; and impatiently 
awaited an opportunity to execute the threat. 

It was not many days before the chance came. Toward the 
close of the first week in November (Lieut. McMaster had been 
killed Oct. 15), a number of men were captured by a portion of 
Mosby's command, and, in accordance with the custom of the or- 
ganization, taken to an appointed rendezvous, that the colonel 
might decide upon the course to be pursued regarding them. 
Twenty-seven men in all were brought before the partisan chief, 
who glowered angrily upon them. 

''To what command do these men belong?" he demanded. 

"They belong to various regiments of Gen. Custer's division," 
replied his adjutant. 

"It was Custer's command, was it not, that murdered those 
men of mine at Front Royal the other day?" 

The adjutant replied in due form, though the lowering coun- 
tenances and half-clenched hands of the men around him, as thej' 
thought of the fate of their comrades, made words unnecessary. 

"Then choose six of them by lot; of these six, shoot three and 
hang three." 

With grim satisfaction, the leader and his men watched the 



204 



Not Quite. 




Not Quite. 205 

preparations for the execution of this sentence. Twenty-seven 
slips of paper were ready, all as nearly alike as possible ; twen- 
ty-one of these were blank; on the others was written the single 
word: Death. The slips, folded so that no one could possibly 
tell which were blank, and which bore the fatal word, were drop- 
ped in a hat ; the prisoners were ranged in line, and the adjutant 
slowly offered each in turn his choice of the folded papers. Pride' 
and habit alike taught them to stand in the soldierly style of utter 
indifference to the outer world ; their eyes were fixed on vacan- 
cy, as if they had been on parade; but who shall say what 
thoughts stirred in their breasts? 

Among the men who stood there was a young man named Eoss 
— or so, at least, he may here be called, since our authority, 
speaking with assurance as to every other point, is doubtful as 
to this. He stood near the far end of the line, watching with 
anxions eyes the faces of the men as they drew the fateful 
slips from the hat. He had seen the faces of five darken a mo- 
ment with the shadow of their cruel fate, and then resume that 
studied indifference. At last, after what seemed an eternity of 
anxiety, the hat came to him. There were but three slips in it, 
and the two men at his left, who had not yet drawn, waited the 
result breathlessly. Looking full in the adjutant's face, he 
drew forth a paper, and opened it. Glancing down at it with as 
much coolness as he could command, he saw written there the 
little word that meant so much. 

The whole matter was now settled, and in accordance with 
the decision of the commander, the sentence was to be execu- 
ted immediately. Yet Mosby would not allow it to be said that 
he had retaliated in an underhand way. Consequently the squad 
who had charge of the condemned men were instructed to con- 
vey them along the valley pike, almost to Winchester, and there 
execute his vengeance upon members of the offending division. 

Ross had quite made up his mind to one thing : he was not go- 
ing to be shot or hanged that day. As to the means of avoid- 
ing this fate, he was not quite so sure. If he could do no more, 
he could break away, and compel them to kill him in the at- 
tempt to recapture him. Perhaps it would be a little more ex- 
act to say that he did not intend to stand up before them for a 
target. 

As they reached the point which had been designated by 6l.. 
Mosby, the party divided: three of the prisoners, whom a sec- 



206 Not Quitb. 

ond casting of two lots had consigned to death hy the rope, being 
taken to a small grove in the vicinity of the road, while the 
others were conducted by their guards to an open field or pas- 
ture. Among these was Ross, and it was decided that he was 
to be the first to be shot. 

The short November day was drawing rapidly to a close ; the 
"Confederates had but little time in which to complete their 
work of vengeance, for it would soon be too dark to take aim. 
The firing party was rapidly told oif, and posted at one end of 
a small level space, at the other end of which the doomed men 
were to stand, each in his turn. The oflScer in charge turned to 
his prisoners: 

''I can give you but five minutes more," he said j whatever 
preparations you have to make must be completed within that 
time." 

The lights of Winchester twinkled faintly red through the 
gathering dusk; dark and gloomy against the gray sky rose the 
trees of the grove where the other scene of the tragedj'' was be- 
ing enacted; not a sound broke the stillness of the air, though 
it seemed to each man there that the beating of his own heart 
must be plainly audible to those around him. The voice of the 
officer broke the silence : 

''Time's up." 

Though really spoken in a low tone (for the speaker was not 
insensible to the spirit of the occasion; he was but fulfilling 
his duties as a soldier), the words seemed to ring out like the 
blast of a trumpet. Obedient to his silent command, the firing 
party looked once more to their arms. A guard motioned to 
Ross. 

'' Can't you give us a little more time ? Only a moment more ?" 
plead the Federal. 

The guard looked inquiringly at his superior. The officer 
nodded. 

"Put him last, instead of first/' he curtly commanded, and ad- 
ded, half by way of apology to himself; " time presses — that is 
the best that I can do." 

"Sir," began the second of the doomed men, addressing the 
officer, "I believe you are in 3'our heart reluctant to execute 
'the sentence imposed on us by your ruffian commander. To 3'ou, 
then, I address myself freely. This act of his will be punished 
severely by the Federal authorities. Every man of Mosby's 



Not Quite. 207 

who falls into the hands of our boys will be made to bear the 
penalt}'." 

"You gain no favor in our eyes by insulting our colonel, sir," 
returned the Confederate with more dignity than the blue-cout 
had given him credit for ; " it is certainly with regret that an}- 
soldier acts on occasions like thepresent, knowing that compar- 
atively innocent men are made scape-goats for the offense of 
many J but so far as doing our duty is concerned, Col. Mosby's 
men have never yet failed him ; and his resentment of the mur- 
der of our comrades is no greater than ours. We are the instru- 
ments of vengeance, and not unwilling ones. As for the retal- 
iation that you threaten, we are of course in constant danger of 
being captured — the partisan's life is not a safe one — but we 
will not leave all the retaliation to be done by your friends." 

What the Federal hoj^ed to gain by his appeal to his guard is 
forever a mystery; but as the sequel will show, it was not with- 
out its effect upon the fortunes of one of his comrades. 

Bat as far as the Confederates were concerned, the remon- 
strance of the Federal, or at least his stigmatization of their 
commander, only aroused their indignation ; for Mosby was the 
darling of his men. The execution was delayed not a moment 
longer. The crack of the rifles rang out sharp and clear, and 
the presumptuous Yankee fell forward, pierced by a half-dozen 
bullets. Hastily removing his body, the Southerners made ready 
for the second victim of this retaliatory warfare. 

What had Eoss gained by the delay requested and granted? 
Apparently only a few minutes in which to anticipate death, so 
swiftly and surely approaching. Such a gain would be one only 
to the coward, who would fain postpone the inevitable, merely 
from the dread of dissolution. But Ross feared neither the su- 
preme moment of existence nor the "something after death" 
before which so many tremble. The brief space of time was 
nothing to him ; he was resolved to prolong it indefinitely. 

A man under sentence of death fears nothing; for the worst 
that his fellow-mortals can inflict upon him is only that which 
already hangs over him. Mosby understood this; and, deter- 
mined that the ends of justice (as he sawthem) should not be de- 
feated, had sent upon this duty a force amply sufficient to per- 
form it. With a sinking heart Ross saw how closely they were 
watched; would he be able to elude their vigilance? 

A second time the flash from their guns brightened for a mo- 



208 Not Quite. 

ment the fast deepening twilight; and the second man had fall- 
en. A moment more, and, their duty performed, this squad would 
join the other, and the united force would report to the partisan 
chief that their comrades had been avenged. 

"Your turn now," said a Confederate to Eoss, and would have 
led him to the place of execution. 

The rangers had heard with pity allied to contempt his appeal 
for a little more time. To their stern, rough natures, it seemed 
the expression of a weakness that looked very much like cow- 
ardicco But then, he was little more than a boy, they told them- 
selves, with a glance at his youthful form. However, he must 
die now ; his time had come ; and he, weakling as he was, could 
not prolong his life one instant. 




A Mean Yankee Trick. 
So thought the gray -jackets; the blue-coat thought differently. 
Obediently allowing himself to be led toward the spot where his 
comrades had fallen, he saw at a glance that the firing part}' 
were busy reloading. With the quickness of thought he turned 
toward the man beside him ; a single well-aimed blow laid the 
Confederate sprawling on the ground ; and almost before he had 
touched the earth, the nimble Federal had reached the limits of 
the field which had been the scene of the tragedy so unexpected- 
ly interrupted. 



Not Quite. 209 

The rangers sprang to their horses and dashed after the fugit- 
ive. Grim and ghastly upon the half-frozen ground lay the 
corpses of the two men who had fallen; and a vision of a third 
form beside them still haunted the bloodshot eyes of the flying 
Federal. The clatter of hoofs approached nearer and nearer ev- 
ery moment; it was man against horse, and the result seemed, 
to the riders, certain. 

Not so to the pursued man, however; for he had no intention 
of making it a mere question of speed ; he had served them one 
Yankee trick, and he felt sure that the necessity of the occasion 
would inspire him as often as itshould be the condition of escape. 

Most fortunately for him, night was drawing on so rapidly 
that his pursuers had not the sense of sight to depend upon ; and 
Ross thought gratefully of the delay which his disputative com- 
rade had caused. But for that he must have fallen an easy prey 
to the enemy. 

On they came, hallooing wildly in the excitementof the chase, 
and firing at every well-defined shadow which fell athwart their 
path. To run at his utmost speed would be to fall into their 
hands almost at once; he must contrive to double upon them. 

The Federal encampment lay to the northeast, and to that 
point of the compass he had naturally turned his face. Having 
imbued the pursuing Confederates with the idea that he was 
seeking to distance their horses in a race to this haven of safety, 
he quietly altered his course as soon as it was dark enough to en- 
ble him to do so without being detected, and slipped back, almost 
under their horses' noses, to that same grove where his three 
comrades had so bravely met the death which the law decrees 
to the most criminal of men. 

If anything had been needed to sustain him in his resolution, 
the ghastly sight now before him would have been sufiicient. Ev- 
en through the darkness he could discern the forms of the three 
Federals hanging from the limbs of one tree; and with a shud- 
der of natural horror at the dreadful circumstances to which he 
must be callous, he scrambled up that very tree. 

Though the autumn was far advanced, and the leaves of this 
tree were withered, but few of them had fallen. Duringthe dark- 
ness, then, the foliage would be sufficient to hide him, especially 
as they would not be likely to suspect his presence in this tree, 
of all others, even if they became aware of his change of direc- 
tion soon enough to follow his footsteps hither. 



210 



Not Quite. 



The time passed slowly to the man perched in this grisly hid- 
ing place. At lust, after what seemed hours, or rather ages of 
waiting, he heard the sound of a body of horsemen coming along 
the pike. Peering cautiously from his leafy shelter, he saw by 
the light of the slender crescent moon, that they were his pur- 
suers. From his covert he could distinguish their words. 

"Well, there are five 
safe, anyhow," remark- 
ed one, as he glanced 
at the oak which bore 
the human acorns in 
which the cruel old 
French king so delight- 
ed. 

" For my part," re- 
turned a second, "I hope 
Custer, Sheridan & Co. 
will soon come to terms, 
for such work is not ex- 
actly to my liking. Of 
course, we must keep it 
up as long as they do — " 
The remainder was 
lost as they turned into 
the field where the other 
executions had taken 
place, their object being 
so to dispose the bodies 
that no doubt might be 
loft, in the minds of those 
who chanced to pass that 




A Grisly Hiding-Place. 



way, of the manner and cause of these men's death. 

E,oss remarked that they appeared to have given up the chase, 
and was not a little relieved to find that it was so. But, as lu- 
was only too well aware, many dangers still lay between him 
and the tents of his regiment. 

The work of the Confederates was completed at last, and they 
Kad turned their horses' heads toward their own camp. As soon 
as they were at a safe distance, Ross left the shelter of the tree, 
and once more bent his steps to the northeast. It was his aim to 
gain before morning some place of safety in which to rest during 



Not Quite. 211 

the day, and then continue his journey during the night. The 
succeeding dawn, he trusted, would see him safe within the Fed- 
eral lines. 

Crossing once more the field which was to have heen the scene 
of his own death, he struck into a by-jDath which was heavily 
shaded by large forest trees. Every sound seemed full of om- 
inous meaning to the man who had so narrowly escaped the Reb- 
el bullets ; the rustling of the withered leaves in the wind more 
than once alarmed him with the idea that a number of horsemen 
were riding beneath the overhanging branches; tlie moaning of 
the wind itself often seemed like the sound of voices in the dis- 
tance J while the fall of an occasional nut made him listen with 
anxious ears for the succeeding footsteps of the stealthily ap- 
proaching foe. 

So he journeyed onward through the night, eluding the Con- 
federate pickets without difficulty. But although on nominally 
neutral ground, he was by no means safe; indeed, this Tery de- 
batable land was a favorite haunt of the daring partisan, and 
was, for that reason, more dangerous to him than the territory 
within the lines of the Southern army itself. But the Federal, 
escaping from his captor, had one advantage over a soldier of 
the Confederacy in similar circumstances; the supporter of the 
Union could always rely upon finding one class of the commun- 
ity favorable to him — the negroes. 

Only partially acquainted with the surrounding country, Ross 
could scarcely hope to find an entirely secure hiding-place with, 
out some assistance ; and assistance could most certainly be ob- 
tained, with the least possible risk to himself in asking it, from 
an " intelligent contraband." 

He was fortunate enough to find a cabin without much difficul- 
ty. A cautious knock brought a venerable looking old "uncle' 
to the door. 

*'Who is yo'?" inquired the old man, peering out into the dark- 
ness; for the Federal had stepped back from the little circle of 
light made by the candle which was held high above the white 
head. 

*' A man in great need of help," he responded, not without 
some anxiety lest it be refused. 

" Good Lawd, mas'r, but we's drefful po' folks heah ; 'taint 

much as two old darkeys kin help white folks." 

" If a soldier was to come to you, asking for shelter during the 
14 



212 Not Quite. 

day from his enemies, who were trying to catch him to shoot 
him," ventured Ross, '' could you not hide him V 

"I dunno, sah ; we kin try, ef hit's you: but dey's a powerful 
lot o' sogers around heah." 

" Which kind?" demanded the Federal, eagerly. Perhaps the 
danger was already past, and he was within the Union lines, or 
nearer to them than Mosby dare approach. 

"Mostly bofe kin's, sah," replied the negro, with due caution ; 
" what kin' is yo', sah ?" 

He had gone too far to retreat, now; it was possible that this 
might be one of those Africans who had clung to their masters, 
but it was not probable; so, trusting to the good fortune which 
had so far attended him, Ross, without uttering a word, stepped 
forward into the little circle of dim light. The questioner start- 
ed back at the sight of his uniform, and almost dropped the 
candle. 

"Praise de Lawd !" he exclaimed; "hit's a Ped'ral soger. 
Come in, mas'r, come in. De old woman '11 be powerful glad 
to have yo'. " 

Thus welcomed, Ross lost no time in accepting the old man's 
invitation; and early as it was, the " ole woman" soon had a 
smoking repast spread before the hungry fugitive. The inner 
man refreshed, he was invited to the loft, where a bed was has- 
tily prepared, his entertainers explaining very elaborately that 
only consideration for his own safety kept them from assigning 
him to a resting-place in their principal room. 

" De Secesh is powerful bad around heah, sah," said the old 
man, with a shake of his hoary head; "an' dere's no tellin' 
when dey mout come right in and find yo', ef yo' was down 
stairs." 

Ross was only too glad to get a comfortable resting-place, af- 
ter his long tramp over fields and through woods; and he did 
not object to having his safety thus considered. Hardly had 
his head touched the pillow before he was sound asleep, to wak- 
en no more until late in the afternoon. Then the sound of voi- 
ces outside the door of the cabin aroused him. They sounded 
strangely familiar. 

"Are you sure?" demanded one. 

" 'Fo' de Lawd, mas'r, I's been up eber sence daylight, and I 
hain't seen no sogers, 'ceptin' you." 

Ross peeped from the window of the loft, a rude opening with- 



Not Quite. 213 

out a sash ; and understood why he had seemed to recognize the 
voice of the questioner; it was the officer who had been sent 
by Mosby to see that the six Federals were duly executed. That 
the present party was in quest of him, his fears left him no room 
to doubt; and he hastily put on his clothes and prepared for 
flight. What would be the outcome, he could not foresee; but 
he resolved not to be taken alive. 

What was his surjDrise to hear the sound of their horses' hoofs 
as they turned from the cabin door, evidently trusting implicitly 
the assertion of the old negro. When they were safely away 
from the cabin, the old man climbed to the loft, to see if his 
guest had heard the arrival of the party. 

"What did they want?" he asked eagerl3\ 

" Dey'd lost some of deir own men, and wanted to know ef 
I'd seen 'em. Lawdy, mas'r, but I was skeered fo' 3^0' when dey 
rode up." 

"So was I," said the soldier,, frankly; "though I couldn't 
understand why, if they were after me, and suspected I was here, 
they should give it up so easily." 

"Dey was some of Mosby's men," replied the negro, looking 
around fearfully, as if the very mention of his name might invite 
danger; "and ef dey'd a knowed dat dere was a Union soger 
heah, dey'd a bu'nt de house down but w'ut dey'd a had yo'. " 

This was practically the end of Eoss' adventure; for, piloted 
by his faithful old host, he reached the Federal lines in safety 
that night. It may be believed that he related the tale around 
the camp-fire. 

"Well, you came pretty near being a dead man," observed a 
comrade, when the story was finished. 

" Very near a corpse," returned Eoss; " but not quite." 

The retaliatory measures which had so nearly cost our hero 
his life, were continued for sometime ; another escape of a man, 
captured by the same command about this time, will be found in 
another chapter. 



A DARING CAPTURE. 

The Prince George Cavalry — An Enterprise of Privates — Betrayed by a Dog — 
The Arrest — To McClellan's or Lee's Headquarters? — The Captors Prefer to 
Go to Lee's — Effect on the Crew. 

IT was Friday, July 25th, 1862. The James River was, for a 
long distance, thronged with the vessels belonging to the 
United States Government. On the northern shore was Gen. 
McClellan's camp ; south of the river were the Confederate forces. 
It was a tempting sight, that array of vessels, to certain adven- 
turous cavalrymen of the latter army, who had been for some 
days wishing for something more exciting than lounging about 
camp or going out on picket duty. Before long a fertile brain 
had conceived a plan which was soon arranged, and about one 
o'clock that night five troopers of the Prince George Cavalry 
entered a boat and pulled off from Coggins' Point. 

There were no military sounding titles or glittering epaulets 
to distinguish these men ; so far from wearing the velvet collar 
and brass stars of a colonel, there was not a shoulder-strap 
among them ; the one officer wore simply a corporal's chevron 
on his sleeve ; the others were distinguished by the honorable 
initials, "H. P." — High Private. Nor was their vessel ri large 
one; neither steam launch nor more pretentious vessel, it was 
by rowing that it must be propelled to the objective point. 

This was a schooner of one hundred and sixty-three tons, load- 
ed with corn and provisions, and valuv d at eight thousand dollars, 
exclusive of her cargo. She was called the Louisa Hives, was 
owned in New York, and commanded by Capt. John A. Jones. 
Of course our five troopers were not thus minutely informed 
regarding the vessel ; they only knew that she was nearly new, 

214 



A Daring Capture. 215 

and that her cargo was valuable to the enemy. Just why this 
particular schooner should have been selected fortheir attempt, 
when two hundred other steam and sailing vessels of various 
kinds lay at anchor around her, is not easily determined. The 
fact remains, the reason is forgotten. 

In accordance with the plans laid before setting out, one of the 
privates, Thomas Martin, was to act as leader. Corporal Cocke 
remaining in the background with the others, Daniel, Dimitry 
and Williams. Pulling off from the shore, they reached the Eives 
and were about to board her with the same quietness, when the 
alarm was given by means of a little dog. No watch of any 
account was kept, being thought unnecessary, since there were 
two gunboats not more than a hundred yards away. The 
dog barked furiously, however; and although the Confederates 
endeavored to silence him in the river, he danced around at a 
safe distance, snarling and snapping and barking as only an 
abominable little black-and-tan can do ; keeping out of reach of 
the strangers. 

His noise did all that he hoped and the Confederates feared; 
for the captain came on deck in a few moments, and in surly 
tones demanded ofthem : 

'•What in the devil do you want here at this time of night?" 

"This is Captain Jones ?" inquired Martin, saluting. 

"It is," replied the otRcer. 

" At Gen. McClellan's order, sir, I have come to effect your 
arrest," rejoined the Confederate, in a tone which blended re- 
gret with dignity and firmness. 

"You must be mistaken, sir," returned the surprised sailor. 

" You arc Captain Jones, of the Louisa Rives, I believe." 

" I am, but I have done nothing to merit arrest. What are the 
charges against me?" 

" I am not here to decide upon the question of your guilt or in- 
nocence, or to prefer charges. I am sent simply to arrest you. 
I am ordered to do so by Gen. McClellan ; and if you are reallj'' 
innocent of whatever charges may have been brought against 
you, you will be glad to have an opportunity of clearing your- 
self," rejoined the supposed emissary of the Federal command- 
er-in-chief, in a grave but friendly tone. The argument seemed 
to impress the sailor, who signified his readiness to go with 
them; and as he seemed to have no idea of resisting or attempt- 
ing to escape, they did not secure him in any way; but allowed 



216 



A Daring Capture, 



him to descend, untied, into the boat, where he seated himself. 

While this conversation was being carried on between Martin 
and the Captain, the other four Confederates had reached the 
cabin of the vessel. There was no one there, the officers, except 
the captain, and the most of the crew having gone on shore. A 
straw bed, found in one of the state rooms, was rijipcd open, a 
match set to its contents, and the cabin door closed and fastened, 
so that the flames must spread without chance of interference 
from without. This duty performed, they were ready to leave 




riuardiiig the I'cssel 

the vessel as soon as Martin and the prisoner; and entered the 
boat along with them. There was no effort made to secure the 
crew, for their boat was so small that the six men already in it 
made an ample load. Even the weight of these few sunk her dan- 
gerousl}^ near to a hole near the top of one side. 

Having accomplished their object, and knowing that much 
now depended on speed, they pulled off in all haste from beside 
the Rives ; but it was, of course, towards the southern and not 
the northern shore of the stream that they directed their course. 
The captain noticed this, and his suspicions were aroused. 

"Gen. McClcllan's headquarters are not that side of the 
river," he remarked to Martin, whom he supposed to be the 



A Daring Capture. 217 

officer in command, from the leading part ho had taken. 

"No," replied that individual, carelessly, "but you needn't 
worry; we know what we're about; only we've changed our 
minds, you see, and concluded to take j^ou to a Confederate 
general's headquarters, instead of a Federal." 

"My God!" exclaimed the prisoner, as he heard his worst 
fears confirmed; " what are you going to do with me, anyhow ?" 

"Don't be worried, sir; you'll not be hurt; but as you are 
engaged in the service of the Lincoln Government, you see, 
your capture is strictly legitimate, and you are a prisoner of war. 
Of course, you will be treated as such." 

"If I'd seen you come from the southern shore I'd have seen 

you d d before I'd have surrendered," rejoined he, greatly 

chagrined. "I had a watch stationed on that side, but didn't 
suppose it would be necessary right opposite the gunboats. I 
had plenty of arms on board." 

"Well," answered Martin, with secret satisfaction, "we made 
allowance for all that, CajDtain ; w-e thought you wouldn't expect 
danger from that quarter, or we would not have taken the trouble 
to row to the other side of your vessel." 

" Hang it," growled one of the Confederates to his neighbors, 
"I don't believe she is going to burn at all. Look at her, will 
you? There isn't a light anywhere about her but the lamp in 
the rigging." 

"It does look like it," returned the man addressed ;"but it 
seems hardly possible that the straw shouldn't have kindled the 
flame." 

By this time they had reached the shore; and landing, ascend- 
ed the bank. As they turned to look behind them upon the 
dangers they had dared for such a trifling result as the capture 
of a single prisoner, they saw that this was not all; the flames, 
smothered in the cabin while they were crossing the river, had 
suddenly burst forth in all their fury; the more ungovernable 
because, so long confined, every timber of the vessel had been 
thoroughly heated. From bow to stern surged the fiery waves, 
while here and there the spray dashed uj) into the rigging. A 
ship of flame, she stood out against the dark blue sky of the 
summer night, casting a weird, unearthly radiance upon the dark 
waters around her, upon the white tents on the shore, and even 
upon the sombre trees beyond. The gunboats and transports, 
meantime, crowded on steam, in the effort to get to a safe dis- 



218 A Baring Capture. 

tance from the burning schooner ; and hither and thither, on the 
decks of the sailing vessels, ran the sailors making every effort 
to escape sharing in her fate. 

Lamenting that their force was too small for them to have 
done any more, since the other vessels were too dangerously 
near gunboats, the Confederates pushed onward to camp, their 
prisoner being conveyed the next day to Petersburg, where he 
was confined until removed to Eichmond. So ended a most dar- 
ing attempt, iu which five men penetrated into the very midst 
of the enemy's fleet, carried off the commanding officer and 
burned one of the vessels, escaping not on)}' unscathed, but not 
even fired upon by one of the many armed vessels lying within 
a few hundred yards of the fated schooner. 



j^HAPTER 717. 
CAPTAIN LIGHTNING'S TRICKS. 

Morgan's Kentucky Kaid — One of his Assistants — Eeason for the Niclmame — A 
Good Beginning — A Strange Coincidence — A Practical Joke — Lebanon — A 
Vanished Operator — A Bet Won — And Information Gained — An Astonished 
Operator — An Important Message — The Enemy Knew Too Much — But Not 
For Long — A Missing Instrument — An Alarmed Operator — Embarrassing 
Questions — Unsatisfactory Answers — Telling the Truth Does No Harm — A Pru- 
dent Operator — "Fixing Up a Plan to Capture Morgan" — A Sharp Eepri- 
mand — An Astonishing Statement — The Signature Explained — General Or- 
ders No. 1 — No More Such Work — Ellsworth's Invention. 

IN" June, 1862, when John H. Morgan was but a colonel, al- 
though in commaiid of a brigade in the Confederate Army, 
there was, among the gallant young Kentuckians who flock- 
ed to his standard, a certain George A. Ellsworth. In time 
of peace, the new recruit had been a telegraph operator, and he 
intimated to Col. Morgan that if provided with a pocket instru- 
ment he might be able, by intercepting messages sent from one 
Federal ofllcer to another, and by sending spurious dispatches, 
render a greater service to the command than the ordlnarj^ 
trooper. The officer lost no time in providing the private with 
the instrument for which he had asked; and, as our story will 
show, he never had reason to regret having done so. 

July 4th, 1862, Col. Morgan, with a force of about eight hun- 
dred men, left Knoxville for his afterwards famous raid into the 
interior of Kentucky; a military exploit only eclipsed, in its 
own peculiar way, by that later one, the details of which will be 
found elsewhere in this volume. Crossing the Cumberland 
River, at a point near where it cuts the southern boundary ofthe 
state, the first telegraph wire which they came upon was at 
Horse Cave, on the Louisville and Nashville Eailroad. Leaving 
219 



220 Captain Lightnimfs Tricks. 

the command encamped at some little distance from the railway 
line, Col. Morgan went forward to the telegraph wire, with 
eleven men, of whom Mr, Ellsworth was of course one. It was 
dark when they struck the wire ; and, curiously enough, the first 
word which the operator heard, upon attaching his instrument, 
was the name " Morgan." 

Using all possible care, so as not to interrupt any message and 
thus give the alarm at one end or the other of the line, Mr. Ells- 
worth cut the wire, and attaching his instrument to that which 
came from the north, prepared to obtain as much information 
of the enemy's intentions as he chose to commit to the telegraph. 
The Confederate soon found that he was receiving messages from 
Gen. Boyle, commanding the forces at Louisville, to Col. Bruce, 
at Bowling Green. The dispatches, generally, did not afford 
much information, except that all the Federals in the state ap- 
peared to be on the defensive against Morgan, and did not intend 
to fight him unless he attacked them. 

A violent thunderstorm was raging around them, and the dis- 
charges of electricity were so frequent that they seriously inter- 
fered with the work j but as not more than a word or so was lost 
at any one time, they were enabled to make out the general pui-- 
port of the messages. But they could Dot, of course, expect 
Louisville to " talk" all the time; there must be something sent 
in reply. Accordingly, Col. Morgan directed that Gen. Frye, 
who was in command at Nashville, should inform Gen. Boyle 
that Forrest had taken Murfreesboro in a manner most disastrous 
to the Federals; with some particulars as to the losses of men 
and supplies. This was, of course, purely fictitious; but by a 
strange coincidence. Gen. Forrest did take Murfreesboro a day 
or two afterward, under precisely such circumstances as were 
thus stated. 

To avoid all suspicion, such as the sending of purely military 
dispatches might entail. Col. Morgan directed that a certain 
wholesale liquor dealer in Lexington should be telegraphed to 
send two barrels of a specified brand of whisky, to a customer 
in Nashville. They learned sometime afterwards that the liquor 
had been duly forwarded, C. O. D., and the man to whom it was 
addressed having declined to receive it, it was returned to the 
wholesale dealer, who swore at Morgan, who had given him two 
sets of express charges to pay. In answer to the inquiries of the 
operator at Louisville as to why no messages were received from 



Captain Ijightning's T?'icks- 221 

the south, Mr. Ellsworth answered that the southern wires were 
badly out of order ; but whether it was the work of the storm, or 
of "that Eebel Forrest," he could not tell. 

This one trial had thoroughly convinced Col. Morgan of the 
usefulness of his new assistant; and Mr. Ellsworth was placed on 
his staff, with the rank of captain. But the more formal title by 
which he was known to the War Department was only seldom 
heard in the command to which he belonged. Whether it was 
because of this one stormy night in which he worked, exposed to 
all the fury of the elements, or because of the agent which he 
employed to discover the secrets of the enemy, he was familiarly 
known as Captain Lightning. From whatever reason it may 
have been given, the name was so appropriate that it stuck 
to him. 

It is not our purpose to trace the progress of the command, or 
to narrate their adventures, except so far as it is necessary to the 
understanding of this one man's actions. We omit mention, then, 
of all between this night in the woods, when the summer storm 
raged so fiercely around the little squad of men, and the 12th of 
the month. 

It was three o'clock on that July morning Avhen the brigade 
rode into Lebanon, Ky. Looking down the main street of the 
town, there was but one light visible; and from the arrangement 
of the wires, Capt. Ellsworth felt convinced that the telegraph 
office was located in that very building. JSTor was he deceived. 
The light was left, like everything else, just as it had been when 
the operator had been in possession ; but now he had *' left for 
parts unknown," and the enemy was in his place. That same 
enemy would have much preferred that he should have stayed, 
for a while at least; for some puzzling questions suggested them- 
selves : What was the signal of the office ? There was nothing 
to indicate the answer — the signal book must have been carried 
off. Then, too, what had been the last thing that the operator 
had said ? Had he announced his intention to " light out," and 
advised his comrade to "go and do likewise," or had haste com- 
j)elled him to take French leave? 

But if doubts were not resolved, they were soon ended, for a 
time, by the necessity of attending to a call for "B" from "Z." 
Now, Capt. Lightning had not the slightest idea who "Z" was, 
or what point he represented; and he had serious misgivings 
as to whether " B" meant Lebanon. But as he had no way of 



222 Captain Lightning's Tricks. 

finding out, he concluded to answer the call ; and he received the 
question: 

" What of the marauders now ?" 

He could probably have told all that "Z" wanted to know 
about the "marauders," but contented himself with the modest 
reply : 

" We are still holding them at bay — no further news." 

Swiftly back over the wires flashed the astonishing inform- 
ation, doubly useful : 

"There are eight hundred troops here coming to Lebanon to 
your aid." 

We have said that this information was doubly useful; for not 
only was the statement regarding the troops highly important, 
but the wording showed him that "B" really meant the opera- 
tor at Lebanon. But in order to make use of the message itself, 
it was necessary to know from what point the troops were to 
come; so that the time of their arrival and their freshness might 
be duly calculated. The case was duly explained to Col. Mor- 
gan, who had just entered the oflice. 

"Ask him where he is, was the ready suggestion." 

" That would never do in the world, Colonel ; he'd be sure to 
' smell a rat.' " 

There was silence for a moment, as the telegrapher endeavor- 
ed to think of some feasible plan. At last, exclaiming, " I have 
it!" he stepped to the instrument, from which, in his perplexity, 
he had turned away, and rapidly sent the following message : 

" There is a gentleman in the office here that has offered to bet 
a box of cigars that you can't spell the name of your station 
right." 

"What does he take me for, anyhow?" was flashed back. 

"Don't know," Ellsworth answered ; " but I've taken the bet. 
Don't go back on me, now. Send it along, and be sure you spell 
it right." 

The ticking spelled out the name " Lebanon Junction." 

" Thank you," went the repl^^, " he acknowledges that he has 
lost." 

"How did he think I'd spell it ?" 

"With two h's." 

"Lebanon Junction was about thirty miles away, and Col. 
Morgan decided that it would be best to move onward. Accord- 
ingly, after having burned all the United States Government 



Captain Lightning' s Tricks. 223 

stores, including some four thousand stand of arms, they took 
up the line of march toward the northeast. Camping at Versailles 
the next night, Captain Ellsworth was ordered to take a squad 
of men with him and tap the wires between Midway and Frank- 
fort. He of course obeyed, but no information of any import- 
ance was gained. The Federals were still on the defensive, de- 
termined not to fight unless they were attacked. From this 
point they pressed on to Midway, so called from its position rel- 
ative to Frankfort and Lexington. 

It was the 15th of July. They were two or three miles from 
the town when Capt. Lightning received orders to take one or 
two men with him, and ride into the town in order to capture 
the telegraph operator before he could give warning that the 
Confederates were approaching. Selecting one reliable man, he 
rode rapidly onward, and found the operator sitting on the plat- 
form in front of his office. Kentucky is no less famous for its 
fine horses than for its pretty girls and good whisky — everyone 
rides; so that the appearance of these two men on horseback 
created no alarm in the mind of the operator. They were not in 
uniform — such luxuries were hard to obtain in those days; 
people had to be content with such clothes as they could get; 
and they were armed only with pistols, which were hidden by 
their coats. Dismounting and tying their horses, in so leisurely 
a manner as to indicate their peaceful character, they spoke to 
the operator, and, preceded by him, entered the office. 

"There's a blank," he said, pushing a number towards them; 
supposing that they were only ordinary senders. 

"Thank you," returned Capt. Ellsworth, "it's hardly worth 
while to write it. Just ask the operator at Lexington what 
time of day it is, will you ?" 

"Sir!" exclaimed the operator, starting back in astonishment. 
He was yet more surprised to find the muzzle of a revolver in 
his face, while the quiet tone became deep and stern as it said : 

" Do as I tell you, at once." 

The command was at once obeyed, and Capt. Lightning thus 
learned the operator's style, so that he could send the messages 
in the same way. 

" Why are there two wires here ?" was next demanded. 

"This one is what we call the railroad wire; the other is the 
military wire. The military dispatches don't come here at all." 

" They don't ? We'll have to fix that, Maddox," to the soldier 



224 Captain L'ujhtn'nufs Trichs. 

who had accompanied hira ; "climb up and cut that wire, please." 
" Eeally, sir, I must protest — " began the operator, aghast 
at the other's cool impudence. 

" Eeally, sir, it will do no good for you to protest. I am 
Capt. Ellsworth, of Col. Morgan's staff. That cloud of dustdown 
the road means that the whole command is coming up. You are 
my prisoner, and I will take charge of the office. What is your 
name?" 

" Woolums," was the jeply. 




" Do as I tell you, at once." 

" I hope you will see the wisdom of giving me all the assist- 
ance you can, Mr. Woolums. Maddox, you will take charge of 
the prisoner while I answer the call." 

The call chanced to be from Cincinnati, from which point a 
dozen or so of unimportant dispatches were received. Shortly 
afterwards, there came a summons from Lexington, and the fol- 
lowing message was received * 

" Lexington, July 15, 1862. 
To Gen. Finnell, Frankfort: 

I wish you to move the forces at Frankfort, on the line of the Lexing- 
ton Railway immediately, and have the cars follow and take them up as soon as possi- 
ble. Further orders %vill await them at Midway. I will, in three or four hours, 
mov« forward on the Georgetown pike ; Morgan left Versailles this morning with 



Captain Ligldning's Tricks. 225 

eight hundred aud fifty men, on tlie Midway road, moving in the direction of 
Georgetown. Brig.-Gen. Ward." 

By the time that this message was received, the entire com- 
mand had entered the town, and Col. Morgan had come to the 
telegraph office to see what was being done there. 

"That's a little too near the truth, Ellsworth," he said, as the 
dispatch was read to him; "they mustn't be allowed to know so 
much. Can't you throw them off the track." 

Captain Lightning reflected a short time, and then dashed off 
a few lines, and handed them to Morgan. 

" IIow will that do, sir?" 

The dispatch was dated at Frankfort, addressed to Gen. Wai-d, 
and read thus: 

"My last message was founded on unreliable information. Mor- 
gan, with his combined force, has driven in our pickets, and will 
make a desperate effort to take the capital. Come to my assist- 
ance at once. Do not come by railroad, as Morgan has undoubt- 
edly destroyed it by this time." 

A short time afterward, they learned that three thousand men 
were marched at double-quick for thirteen miles before it was 
discovered that the dispatch was a hoax. When he heard this 
Capt. Lightning congratulated himself that he had not been cap- 
tured by those men while the memory of that march was fresh 
hi their minds. But enough had been done at Midway, and in 
an hour after the troops had entered the town, they were on the 
march to Georgetown. Arrived at this place, the telegraph 
office was found to be locked, but a certain Mr. Smith was point- 
ed out to the Confederate as the operator. 

" You are the telegraph oj)erator at this point?" 

" I am, sir." 

"I am Capt. Ellsworth, of Col. Morgan's staff. I must trouble 
you to turn your instrument over to me." 

" I — I am sorry, sir, but I have just sent it to Lexington to be 
repaired." 

" Key, magnet and sounder?" 

"All, sir; every part." 

"That is too bad. I have the Lebanon and Midway instru- 
ments, and was anxious to add another to my collection." 

Mr. Smith stuck to his story, and Capt. Ellsworth, affecting to 
believe it, became very friendly. They had a pleasant chat, and 
finally the soldier invited his new acquaintance to take supper 



226 Captain Llgidniiufs Tricks. 

with him at the hotel. The invitation was accepted, and the 
guest, in due time, introduced to Col, Morgan. 

"Ah, by the way, Ellsworth," said the commander, "I sup- 
pose you added to your collection here?" 

"No; Mr. Smith informs me that he has sent his instrument 
to Lexington for repaii-s," 

" That's unfortunate, since you wore in such a hurrj' to com- 
plete the magic number. What do j-ou intend to do about it?" 

" O, if I can't get the instrument, I'll have to take the opera- 
tor. I don't much like to send him to Dixie, but I don't see how 
I can do any better." 

When supper was over, Mr. Smith requested a private inter- 
view with Capt. Ellsworth, at which he produced the instru- 
ment. Col. Morgan and his aid repaired to the telegraph office 
soon afterward, and the latter desired that the operator at Lex- 
ington should be called. 

" I hardly think we can fool him. Colonel," objected Captain 
Lightning; "for I think that Smith must have told him his rea- 
son for stopping work ; but I'll try it." 

Lexington was called, and answered. After a few unimport- 
ant dispatches both ways, the question was asked of the George- 
town operator : 

"Where is Morgan now?" 

"Hadn't I better tell him the truth. Colonel?" asked Ells- 
worth, as he received the dispatch ; " they must know our 
whereabouts so nearly that any attempt to deceive them would 
result in their finding out who is sending." 

Receiving an answer in the aflSrmative, he sent a statement of 
the true position of the camp, and the real number of men. Back 
came the question : 

" If Morgan's camp is only a mile from town, and his officers 
in town, how can you be working the line ? He has an operator 
on his staff; what has become of him? How did you prevent 
his taking your instrument?*' 

The reply was a judicious mixture of truth and falsehood : 

" I concealed my instrument and told him that I had sent it to 
Lexington for repairs. I can have no light in the office, as no 
one must know that I am at work. I receive by sound only." 

It was less usual, twenty years ago, for the operator to read 
by sound than it is now ; many, especially in the smaller towns, 
clinging to the paper strips used in the earliest forms of the in- 






Captain Lightning's Tricks. 227 

strument. "Whether for this, or for some other reason, the Lex- 
ington people did not think the pathetic picture of telegraphing 
under difficulties was drawn from life; the story was, to use a 
more modern expression, too transparent. Back came the ques- 
tion, short and sharp : 

" Where's your assistant ?" 

Georgetown didn't know; in fact, the present operator didn't 
know that he had one, but he omitted to say so to Lexington. 

" Haven't you seen him to-day V 

Ellsworth ventured a "no;" the reply was evidently not in 
accordance with Smith's dispatches, for the batteries were sud- 
denly disconnected, and communication with Lexington entirely 
cut off. The military authorities at Lexington, learning that 
Morgan's operator was at Georgetown, refused to believe the 
true information that had been received from that point ; and be- 
cause Ellsworth had said that eight hundred and fifty Confeder- 
ates were encamped on a certain farm, they straightway con- 
cluded that the force was moving in some other direction. It 
was certainly one instance in which truth-telling served better 
than lying. 

Captain Lightning added another instrument to his collection 
after the fight at Cynthiana, on the 17th. The operator had fled 
the town, and the apparatus had disappeared; but a little close 
questioning disclosed the direction of the flight; and in a hol- 
low tree that stood near the line of retreat, the instrument was 
found, snugly stowed away. The brigade turned southward from 
Cynthiana, that being the most northerly point which they 
sti'uck during the raid; and returned to Tennessee by a route 
about forty or fifty miles to the eastward of that by which they 
had advanced. So event of importance occurred in the telegraph 
department until they reached Somerset, about forty-five miles 
north of the Tennessee line, and nearly due south of Lexington. 

It was nearly 10 o'clock on the night of July 21st, and the 
men, who had been in the saddle since early morning, were 
thoroughly worn out. They were still six or eight miles from 
Somerset, when the order was given : '• Captain Lightning to 
the front V It was some time before he could be found ; for, in 
the darkness, one man riding along fast asleep looks very much 
like another under the same conditions; but at last he was dis- 
cover2d. "Wide awake as soon as he learned that he was want- 
ed, he urged his horse forward to the head of the column, where 



228 Captain Lightning's Tricks. 

rode the colonel. There he received orders to take two men, 
and pushing forward into the town, capture the telegraph oper- 
ator before he could learn that the raiders were near. When he 
arrived at the office, there was but one man in it. 

''Are you the operator?" 

"I am not." 

"Where is he?" 

"Well," drawled the other, "he looked out of that window 
and saw you and your companions riding down the street; and 
being a bashful man, he went out of this window just as soon as 
he saw that you were coming to see him." 

" Did he send any message in regard to leaving the office?" 

"My friend," returned the stranger, " not being a telegrapher, 
I cannot tell what message is being sent, unless I see it written 
out ; but I am quite sure that he did not send any such dispatch, 
for he didn't take the time. He was intent on saving his own 
bacon, and lit out without any regard for any one else." 

But a call from Louisville at this moment claimed Ellsworth's 
attention ; and responding to it, he was asked : 

" Any signs of Morgan yet ?" 

There was a signal-book in the office, and this enabled him to 
find the signal for his station. In a moment's time he replied : 

"None. What are the latest reports !" 

"Morgan, with a thousand men, left Crab Orchard at 1 P. M. 
to-day. Keep a sharp lookout and let us know of his approach. 
Be sure to secure j^our instrument, so that it will not fall into 
the hands of his operator." 

Several dispatches, of little or no interest, passed to and fro, 
and at midnight the operator at Somerset asked permission to 
close the office that he might get some sleep. Of course he did 
not urge that he had been riding since early that morning; if 
he had, they would have excused him, beyond a doubt. As it 
was, the answer came : 

" No, you must stay. We are fixing up a plan to capture Mor- 
gan, and may need 3^ou." 

For two hours longer the worn-out man remained at his post, 
waiting to hear their plan for capturing Morgan; but when he 
found no information seemed likely to come, he begged off. But 
they would release him only until six o'clock; and promising 
to be on hand promptly at that hour, he betook himself to bed. 
Instead, however, of returning promj)tly at six, the office did 



Captain JJightning's Tricks. 229 

not see him again until nearly nine. He gave the signal that he 
was on duty again, and received in reply a withering rebuke — 
only it didn't seem to wither him worth a cent. Even the con- 
clusion of the message, which might have been alarming to any 
other operator produced no other effect than a grim chuckle of 
satisfaction. 

"If you cannot attend to the duties of your position any bet- 
ter, we will send a reliable man to relieve you." 

His news that there were no signs of Morgan yet, however, 
seemed to exert a cooling influence upon their anger, and a few 
messages, of little importance, were received. Evidently they 
had not yet fixed up their j^lan to capture Morgan, At any rate, 
they had not yet tried it when, an hour before noon, that officer 
came in and dictated this message : 

"Somerset, Ivektucky, July 22d, 1862. 
To Geo. D. Prentice, Esq., Editor Louisville Journal, Louisville, Kentucky : 

I have passed through seventeen counties, captured two thousand pris- 
oners, four thousand stand of arms, and destroyed $1,000,000 worth of United States 
Government stores. I am now off for Dixie. 

JoKN H. Morg.\:n-, 

Colonel Commanding Brigade." 

The sending of the dispatch progressed smoothly enough 
until the words " United States Government stores " were reach- 
ed, when Louisville suddenly interrupted Capt. Lightning with 
the question : 

"What in the world do you mean by that ?" 

" The signature will explain it all," returned Ellsworth, and 
went on with the message. Sure enough, the signature did 
throw a flood of light on the subject. And now Louisville be- 
gan to question ; 

" How long have you been in Somerset?" 

" Since eleven, last night." 

" Have you captured the operator there ?" 

"Haven't seen him. He went out of the window before I got 
here. You ought to employ more polite men." 

" It's a good joke on us, anyhow. You've fooled us com- 
pletely." • 

As a pianist closes a sparkling series of notes with a few heav- 
ier chords, so Captain Ellsworth wound up his operations In 
Kentucky by the following dispatch -. 



230 Captain Lightning's Tricks. 

"Headquarters, 1 

Telegraph Department of Kentucky, >■ 

Confederate States of America. J 
General Orders, No. 1. 

When an operator is positively informed that the enemy is marching 
on his station, he will immediately proceed to destroy the telegraphic instruments and 
ail material in his charge. Such instances of carelessness as were exhibited on the 
part of the operators at Lebanon, Midway and Georgetown, will be severely dealt 
with. 

By order of "A. A. Ellsworth, 

General Military Superititendetit C. S. Telegraphic Dept." 

Captain Lightning's services, thus memorably begun, were in 
frequent demand in all of Morgan's expeditions. Cutting tele- 
graph wires and communicating with one end of the lines by 
means of a pocket instrument, was, of course, a means frequent- 
ly used, bj^ many other officers, to gain information of the ene- 
my's plans; but Morgan's aid seemed to possess, in the highest 
degree, the power of deceiving those with whom he was in com- 
munication. Finally, as if to prove how thoroughly he had 
studied the subject, he has, since the close of the war, perfected 
an invention which makes it impossible for any one to play the 
operator such tricks as he played the Federals while he was in 
the Confederate Army. 



Note. — Since preparing the above article, the writer has come 
into possession of a slip from the Atlanta Confederacy, dated in 
August, 1862, giving a number of dispatches sent from Somerset. 
In addition to those in the text, there is the following: 

" Somerset, July 22d. 
Gen. T.J. Boyle, Lotdsville: 

Good morning, Jerry. This telegraph is a great institution. You 
should destroy it, as it keeps you too well posted. My friend, Ellsworth, has all of 
your dispatches since July 10th on file. Do you wish copies ? 

John H. Morgan, 

Col. Commanding Brigade." 



A WONDERFUL RIDE. 

Self Praise is Half Scandal — An Enemy's Generosity — Charge on the Battery — A 
Canncjneei-'s Kesolve— Saving a Gun— Five Hundred Bullets— The Mark Un- 
hit — Cheered by the Enemy — Safe. 

MANY a man who manifests no extraordinary courage on 
the battle-field is extremely brave when with his com- 
rades beside the camp-fire; and, when sitting, pen in hand, with 
a sheet of smooth white paper before him, remembers gallant 
deeds and daring achievements which no man ever witnessed. 
How many a broken soldier who " shoulders his crutch and 
shows how fields were won," has done himself the chief part in 
gaining that victory, although the unjust world has given the 
glory to another! Far be it from us to cavil at any man's just 
claim to honor; but that such may not be deprived of any por- 
tion of what is due them, let us examine rigorously each claim 
that is advanced, and receive none that do not deserve our ac- 
ceptance. 

Sometimes the case assumes a different form. Was there ever 
a great man without his admiring biographers? Sometimes a 
partial friend narrates the exploits and adventures of a man who 
cannot or will not speak for himself. Whether it be told by the 
chief actor or by another, who is really a satellite, the story 
must be carefully considered; especially when, as in the case of 
adventures during the "late onpleasantness," there is a parti- 
san feeling, hot and bitter, for which we are to make allowance. 
But when an enemy tells the story, what then ? Then indeed it 
must be true — all that is said in praise of the heroism displayed; 
for nearly every instinct of our poor, weak human nature tends 
to blind us to the merits of our foes. Not a word, then, would 
281 



232 



A Wonderful Bide. 



we disbelieve of the story that follows; for it rests on the word 
of an enemy, who could have no reason for enhancing the cour- 
age of the chief actor; not even the motive which leads the 
wrestler to represent his conquered opponent as possessed of 
extraordinary strength and skill. 

The second battle of Bull Eun, or Manassas (for the oppos- 
ing forces named it differently) lasted for two days. At the end 
of the first, August 29th, 1862, neither side could claim the vic- 
tory, and neither would acknowledge itself whipped. At dawn 
of the 30th, then, the veterans of both armies went at it again 
with renewed energy, and before night the result was seen — the 




Bull Run Baitle-Field. 

Federal forces retreated, leaving the field in the hands of the 
Confederates. But before the forces of Pope and McDowell bad 
given up hope, there occurred the incident of the battle which 
is our present subject. Told, as the story is, by one of the Con- 
federate officers, many of the points we would wish to know in 
connection with it are not related ; not even the name of the 
hero is recorded. 

Hood's men charged down the hill from the Henry House upon 
the first Federal line; and the gunners saw that their battery was 
doomed. One, at least, was resolved that one of the guns should 
not fall in the hand of the Confederates; but the task of saving- 
it was a fearful one. Between the battery and the nearest point 
to wlicre the cannon would be safe, there was a ditch, four feet 



234 



A Wonderful Bide. 




A Wonderful Ride. 235 

wide, and equally deep. This, of course, was a barrier which 
the heavy gun-carriage could not pass; he must drive around it, 
and the end was half a mile or more from the starting point. 
The horses, four magnificent light grays, had not been unhitch- 
ed, so that no time was lost in the start. Along the ditch he 
drove, and his driving was like that of Jehu; for Hood's men 
were not far off, the whole brigade wreathed in smoke from their 
own muskets. 

Thick and fast fell the balls around him; but not one hit the 
mark. The powerful horses seemed to understand fully the 
state of affairs, and strained every muscle to win in this terrible 
race with death. Onward, onward still, with no slackening of 
pace — he did not spare the noble horses — he had not spared 
himself. 

Now a portion of this dreadful ordeal by fire is passed; the 
Confederates of that one brigade have swept down upon the line 
of Federals; it has broken, and fled in disorder. The gunners 
have left their post, and their guns are turned against them — all 
but one. The hot sun of a Southern August, though clouded 
now by the smoke of the battle, has drawn every drop of mois- 
ture from the parched earth 5 and the dust rises at every step 
the horses take, until they are almost hidden from sight. The 
first brigade, that which was attacking the battery itself, had been 
passed, and man and horses escaped unnoticed and unscathed. 
But the real trial had hardly begun, for here was another body 
of troops ready, as it appeared, waiting for himi 

The gun-carriage thundered along in its attendant cloud of 
dust. The Confederates took in the situation in a moment; or- 
ders to fire were unnecessary; they took aim as by common con- 
sent, and hundreds of bullets were sent on their way, that death 
might win the race. But it seemed all in vain. The heroic 
charioteer seemed to bear a charmed life. 

"Aim lower, boj^s," cried an ofiicer, as he rode along the line ; 
"fire at the horses, not at the man." 

Perhaps, while he recognized the desirability, in a military 
point of view, of capturing the gun, he was not unwilling to 
spare the life of the heroic enemy. Perhajjs he was anxious 
only to take the gun and cared nothing for the gunner; more 
probably he realized that if he could disable the horses he would 
capture the man. At any rate, the mad progress must be 
stopped. 



236 A Wonderful Bide. 

His orders were obeyed, and he marked one man, especiallj'', 
from whose shot he hoped much. This soldier was known in all 
the regiment for the excellence of his marksmanship j and as he 
dropped on one knee, sighted his piece, and sent the ball on 
its way, his comrades looked confidently to see one of the horses 
fall to the earth. The bullet sped through the air, and the car- 
riage still thundered on. Again the sharpshooter took aim, and 
again he missed his mark. The brave cannoneer seemed to be 
made of other material than flesh and blood, else surely some 
one of those five hundred bullets would have reached his heart. 

Onward, onward still, and at last the head of the ditch is 
reached and turned at full gallop — he has run the gauntlet; he 
has passed the ordeal of fire; he is out of range; he is on the 
hillside. He rises, turns in his saddle, and looks defiantly to- 
wards the enemy whose bullets could not harm him; he waves 
his hat, and cheers ; they see the gesture, though they cannot 
hear the sound; in all those regiments, there is hardly a man 
who can find it in his heart to regret the cannoneer's escajie; 
and from the Confederate ranks rises an answering cheer for 
the brave Federal. Then they press on, intent only on driving 
from the field the army to which he belongs, and this incident 
passes down into history to be almost — but not quite — lost 
among the innumerable throng of brave deeds by brave men. 



A GENERAL'S ESCAPE. 

Manassas or Bull Run — Hunting for Troops — An Unexpected ISIeeting — A Trio of 
Stragglers — Who Exchanged Opinions — One is Suspected — They had Better 
have Let Him Go — A Surprised Federal. 

IIS" the latter part of i\ngust, 1862, when, for the second time, 
the thunder of the guns was heard upon " Manassas' solemn 
plains, '^ and Bull Hun was again crimson with the blood of 
two armies, Brig. -Gen. Pryor found that it was necessary for 
him to call up certain regiments which he had hitherto held in 
reserve. Eveiy aid had been dispatched on various errands, 
not a man could be spared from the line of battle; the general 
then decided to be his own messenger, and started off on foot. 
He reached in safety the position held by the two regiments, or- 
dered them forward to that which he wished them to occupy, 
and started on his return j expecting, of course, to find his men 
where he had left them. But the position of the two armies 
sometimes changes so suddenly during a great battle that one can 
never be quite certain as to the whereabouts of an}^ one particu- 
lar command ; and so Gen. Pryor found to his sorrow. 

For his troops were nowhere to be seen when he arrived at 
the point they had so recently occupied. Doubtless, he thought, 
they had moved onward ; he would follow them to the front. 
Trudging forward, he soon came uj^on a most remarkable sight 
— two Federal soldiers, sitting at the foot of a hayrick. What 
jcould it mean ? They were evidently not prisoners, for they re- 
tained their arms ; near them stood their two muskets, one with, 
and the other without a bayonet. He had come upon them too 
suddenly to admit of retreat; and being covered by a Mexican 
poncho, which completely concealed his uniform and all insig- 

2-67 



238 A General's Escape. 

nia of rank, lie decided to pass by as unconcernedly as he could, 
as if he were one of their own comrades. But his plans were 
foiled. 

"Hallo, you !" called one of them. It would not do to disre- 
gard this, especially as it was repeated with some emphasis, and 
he replied in Yankee fashion, with a question: 

" What do you want?" 

" Come over here a minute." 

He dared not disobey; it was two to one, and very close quar- 
ters. 

" Come from the front V asked one. 

" Yes, just now," he replied. 

"How's everything going on there?" 

" Oh, all right. I got tired of it, though, as you seem to 
have done." 

The Federals laughed at the hit, and one replied : 

"Well, it is apt to tire a fellow. Just listen to that firing! 
Don't you feel good about it when you think you're a mile and a 
half inside the lines? I do, and I don't count myself a coward 
either." 

Gen. Pryor could not say that it made him "feel good" to 
know that he was so far within the enemy's lines; so he evaded 
the question, and returned in the same frank tone that the Yan- 
kee had used: 

"Well, it does very well to be in the -battle for a little, but it's 
hard work, and we can fight all the better for having a little rest 
once in a while." 

" You were taking a stroll for the benefit of your health, 
weren't you, when we hailed you?" 

"Yes, and found it pretty hot weather for walking, too. You 
seem to have a pretty comfortable place of it here," answered 
the Confederate, who found it decidedly uncomfortable, and was 
beginning to wonder how in the world he would get out of it. 

"Which division do you belong to, Pope's or McDowell's?" 

"Pope's; and J'ou?" the general asked in reply, hoping to 
divert their questions from such a decidedly personal course. 

"Pope's, too. What regiment?" 

The stranger had been abstractedly gazing in the direction of 
the firing ever since he had asked about the division to which 
his companions belonged. He now turned suddenly, and to gain 
time, pretended not to have heard the inquiry : 



A GeneraVs Escape. 



239 



" I beg your pardon, but what did you say V 

"I asked you what your regiment was," returned the Federal, 
in a somewhat sharper tone than he had yet used. 

Here was a dilemma ; he had unfortunately laid claim to be a 
member of their own division ; there was nothing about them to 
indicate their regiment and brigade; he might happen upon the 
very one to which they belonged, and that, of course, would in- 
crease the unpleasantness of the situation. He was completely 
taken aback and had no answer ready. 

''The — the Thirty-first New York," he hazarded with some 
hesitation. 

"You're a 

d d E ebel, 

and my pris- 
oner," exclaim- 
ed the Yank, 
springing to his 
feet, all his lurk- 
ing suspicions 
confirmed by 
the other's hesi- 
tating tone, no 
less than by his 
liaving named a 
regiment in 
Gen. Mc. Dow- 
ell's division. 

As quick as 
thought the act- 
ive and power- Turning the Tables. 
ful Confederate had sprung towards the two muskets, grasped 
the bayoneted one, and before the Federal could turn towards 
him, had run it twice through his body. The wounded man 
fell heavily to the earth ; the second Federal, who had been re- 
clining at ease beneath the hayrick, started to his feet as if to 
make off. It would never do to leave an enemy in his rear, and 
the Confederate, by a third thrust, laid the second Federal help- 
less on the field. Dropping the musket as a useless encumbrance, 
he started at full speed along the course he had been pursuing 
when he was stopped by them. 

The information the}' had unconsciously given, that they were 




240 A General's Escape. 

a mile and a half inside the Federal lines, was of considerable 
service to him, as it enabled him to calculate very nearly the 
position of his own command. Much time was lost in dodging the 
Federal stragglers, who where prett}'" thick now, for the tide of 
battle was again turning, bearing the Stars and Stripes back- 
ward, and the Stars and Bars forward this time. It was more 
than an hour before he regained his own command, not being 
again halted by any of the Federals. 

The two days of battle ended at night in a victory for the 
Confederates. The next day, Gen. Pryor sent an aid to the 
various hospitals in the neighborhood, to see if there was a man 
wounded b}^ one or two bayonet thrusts j for he was desirous of 
knowing the fate of the two Federals. The aid returned with 
the intelligence that one was in a certain building, and the brig- 
adier, mounting his horse, rode over to see if it was the same 
man. It proved to be the one who had taken the foremost part in 
the conversation. 

*'Do you know me?" 

"Yes, sir, I do," replied the sufferer, with emphasis; "you're 
the man who stuck me. "Who are you anyhow V 

"Eoger A.Pryor, of the Confederate Army." 

"Gen. Pryor? Oh, my good heavens, if I could only have 
caught a brigadier I " 



A PAIR OF FORAGERS. 

They Want their Breakfast — How They Got it — A Traitorous Hostess — Pursued— 
Close Quarters — A Narrow Escape — Detected — A Good Thing for the Com 
mand. 

LATE in the fall of 1862 four companies of cavalry were de- 
tailed to carry ballot boxes to Smithfield, twenty-two 
miles north of which place the main body was encamped. The 
march was safely accomplished j the ballot boxes were placed in 
the hands of the proper authorities; and, after a very short stay 
at Smithfield, the guardians of the ballot box set out on their 
return trip. By marching directly back, it was not, of course, 
expected that they would reach camp that same night j but they 
could bivouac in the open air — the weather was still, notwith- 
standing the advancing season, extremely moderate — and they 
would be in camp at a much earlier hour than if they did not 
leave Smithfield until morning. A suitable place was selected 
for the bivouac, and after discussing the uninviting rations with 
the keen appetites which their long ride had given them, the men 
wrapped themselves in their blankets and laid themselves around 
the fires, to rest for the night. 

But even hard tack and salt pork were not over plentiful, and 
two adventurous troopers decided that they would have a break- 
fast more palatable than their suppers had been j so rising some 
timebeforereveille, they mounted their horses, and, slipping past 
the guards, made their way out of camp. After riding two or three 
miles they came to a very comfortable looking farm-house, where 
they concluded to make their demands. The family were already 
stirring. Dismounting, they gave a rousing knock at the door. 

'- Grood morning, madam," said one of them to the woman who 

241 



242 



A Pair of Foragers. 



made her appearance in answer to this summons. " Can we get 
breakfast here?" 

"I reckon you can," she replied, somewhat ungraciously; she 
had ao objection to breakfasting soldiers, but she preferred 
those in gray uniforms. *' I can't give you a very nice breakfast, 
she added, as they entered, ''for I haven''t got it. The War in- 
terferes with everything, it seems." 

"Just so it isn't hard-tack and pickled mule," was the reply. 

In a few moments the meal was announced ; and to the hungry 




The MijHierlous Signals. 

Federals the fried bacon and eggs and rich corn-bread were a wel- 
come relief from the monotony of camp-diet. They ate heartily 
and without any thought of the danger that threatened them ; 
for they were barely three miles from the famous Blackwater, 
where a large force of Confederate cavalry, as they knew, had 
been posted on the previous day. They finished their breakfast, 
and were quietly wending their way to the stables, whither their 
horses had been taken for feeding, when they saw a somewhat 
alarming sight. In the rear of the house, at some little distance. 
there was swamp, covered with a thick growth of trees. At the 



A Pair of Foragers. 243 

back door of tlie house stood their hostess making mysterious 
aignals towards the pine woods. 

" Eogers, do yousee what she's doing?" asked one of the other. 

"She's carrying on some game, I guess," replied Rogers; 
"she looks like a witch trying to enchant us." 

The boy who had attended to the feeding of their horses had 
by this time come too near them, as the performance of his duties 
called him hither and thither, to permit them to speak without 
being overheard; so that the first speaker, who had looked 
sharply about him, could only nudge his companion to call his 
attention to another new-made discovery. At one point on the 
edge of the pine thicket stood a Confederate; some little dis- 
itance from him, in a spot where the woods appeared to recede 
slightly, there was another. The first watched the house closely, 
and evidently was looking for the signals made by the mistress of 
the mansion ; a gesture noted, he would turn and repeat it to his 
comrade, who in his turn would convey the meaning to some per- 
son or persons within the shelter of the woods. 

The two Federals realized at once that they were being be- 
trayed by their unwilling entertainer, who had been afraid to 
refuse their request. There was not a moment to lose, and they 
hurried on towards the stable, hoping to mount and ride away 
in such haste that the Confederates would not have time to bring 
up that larger force which was evidently within the shelter of 
the woods. But they had hardly reached the building when 
their ears were saluted by the crack of a rifle, followed by a yell 
as blood-curdling as an Apache war-cry. They sprang into their 
saddles; the horses, startled by the "Eebel yell," needed no 
spurring, but were off at once. Over fences, fallen trees and deep 
trenches they went, neither horse nor rider caring much how 
rough a road it might be. Now, and now again, came a shot 
speeding after them; but their rough road served them well, for 
not a ball hit. 

They had nearly reached the boundary of the farm ; yonder 
was the snake fence that separated it from the public road ; only 
a few bounds more of their trusty steeds and they would be upon 
the highway, and bound straight for camp. Once upon a good 
road, their horses, they knew, would make good time, and could 
easily distance the average cavalry horse. But the fence was 
overgrown with vines, and in the corner grew high weeds — • 
withered now, but still thick enough to be an excellent shelter 
16 



244 



A Pair of Foragers. 



for the two Confederates who now started up directly in front 
of them with a demand for their surrender. 

The Federals, however, had no notion of being captured; 
Rogers drew his sabre quick as thought, and at the first pass laid 
upon the shoulder of the foremost Confederate. The other Fed- 
eral, whose name has not been recorded, unslung his carbine and 
took hasty aim at the second Confederate, who was sighting his 
9wn gun. The two reports seemed blended in one, but the Con- 
federate's ball passed harmlessly onward, just grazing his oppo- 
nent's cheek ; the Federal's, although more hastily aimed, went 




(■lidck Work. 

true home ; it pierced the brain of the Southerner, who fell with- 
out a groan on the dead grass at the roadside. 

Hardly two minutes had been occupied in this little skirmish, 
but even that short time was enough to enhance their danger. 
Fast and furiously behind them came the clatter of hoofs; there 
was a force of at least twenty in hot pursuit. The fence was 
cleared ; the two Federals set spurs to their horses and rode, if 
not for their lives, at least for their liberty. The chase was a 
close one, and the Confederates, relying upon their superior num- 
bers, did not fire a shot; preferring to take the two men alive. 
Onward, onward, at their utmost speed, they rode; and stead- 



A Pair of Foragers. 245 

ily, though slowly, the pursuers gained upon the pursued. They 
were not fifty yards apart when the Federals saw they were 
safe; yonder were the pickets. Rising in their saddles, they 
turned partly around, and waving their caps, cheered defiantly. 
The Confederates understood the meaning; they dared not ven- 
ture nearer the camp ; and with a few parting shots, sent atran- 
dom, they wheeled their horses and returned to the shelter of 
the pine woods. 

The two Federals had hoped to slip into camp unobserved as 
they had left it; but the condition of their horses told the tale 
of hard riding and the colonel demanded to know where they 
had been. Evade the question they could not, answer they 
must. Hearing their story, the officer concluded that the more 
rapidly the force moved on, the better, and gave orders accord- 
ingly to proceed to the main camp by a road diff'erent from that 
by which they had advanced. They had not proceeded three 
miles before an attack was made on the advance guard. Learn- 
ing from a prisoner that the Confederates had a large force, the 
Federal commander gave the order to retreat; but hardly had 
the retrograde movement begun when the rear was attacked by 
nine hundred Confederate cavalry. 

It was with difficulty that this force was kept at bay long 
enough for the main body of the Federals to get out of range; 
but the task was accomplished with but slight loss; for, if we 
may believe the veracious historian, the nameless trooper who 
took breakfast at the fai*mhouse, the Federals did not linger un- 
necessarily on the road. Perhaps the Confederates had been 
lying in wait for this force ; but certainly they would not have 
discovered so exactly and with so little trouble the camp and 
the route of the Federals if it had not been for the two who pre- 
ferred bacon and eggs and corn-bread to hard-tack and mess-pork. 



i:;HAPTE^/lll. 

RESCUING A COMRADE. 

Infantry Curiosity — Cavalry Disgust — Moral of the Story — Attack on the Train — 
The Charge — Kepulsed — Harper's Perilous Position — A Generous Offer — A 
Warm Meeting — Safe — A Close Shave — A Frank Confession — A Second 
Charge, and its Kesult. 

THE stoiy goes, that some twenty odd years ago, or there- 
abouts, a Confederate trooper was hailed by a lounging 
infantryman with : 

" Mister, did 3'ou ever see a Yankee ?" 

The cavalryman, somewhat affronted at the question, answer- 
ed curtly in the affirmative. 

"Did he have on a blue coat?" continued the questioner, 
drawlingly. 

" Yes," was the reply, still shorter. 

" Did you stop to look at him ?" was the next query, doubtful 
in tone. 

" Yes," with something that sounded suspiciously^ like an oath. 

The first soldier's face expressed the most affectionate interest 
as he slowly drew himself uj) with a deep breath of surprise, and 
drawled out: 

"Mister, will you please tell me if your spurs were broke or 
your horse was lame? Which was it?" 

We regret to say that the trooper's reply is not on record ; 
although the regret is somewhat tempered by the reflection that 
perhaps it was not altogether fit for " ears polite." But incom- 
plete as it is, the story shows the estimation in which the in- 
fantry too often held the cavalry. The bulk of the fighting was 
done by the former, as they justly claimed; but they forgot that 
there was something to be done besides fighting great battles; 
240 



248 



Rescuing a Comrade. 




Bescuing a Comrade. 



249 




Rescuing a Comrade, 251 

they must be won; and in order to win them, sleepless vigilance 
on the part of the much despised cavalry was necessary. Much 
of the depreciation, of course, arose from jealousy of the troop- 
er's easier way of getting over the ground in a long march; the 
remainder originated in the feeling we have already described. 

Of course, in a collection of such stories of adventure as the 
present, the services of the cavalry are not likely to be viewed 
with an infantry critic's eye ; indeed, the mounted men had so 
much greater opportunity for seeing service that included dar- 
ing attempts and hairbreadth escapes, that their importance is 
apt to appear overrated. The cavalry is the comet that flashes 
across the sky, the wonder and admiration of all while it lasts; 
while the infantry may be compared to the stars that shine stead- 
ily all the time, whether there are comets or not. At the very 
mention of the word cavalry, however, what stirring pictures 
throng the brain ! The clank of sabre and spur, the sound of 
hoofs along the hard road, are the overture to the play; the cur- 
tain rises, and we see upon the stage the forms of Sheridan and 
Stuart, of Custer and Wheeler, often apparently assuming ro- 
mantic shapes of knights of the olden days of chivalry. 

But to leave fancy, and come down to history; not the grave 
ind solemn lady who presides over the pages ofEoUin and 
G-ibbon and Dryasdust, but the genial creature who, in the guise 
of an old soldier, sits by our fireside, with interminable stories 
of what happened to him and his comrades during "the War." 

" And, tales of sorrow done, 
Shoulders his crutch and ehows how fields were won." 

It was during the progress of the battle known by the name of 
Stone River or Murfreesboro', commencing December 31, 1862, 
and lasting five days ; an action which ended most disastrously 
for the Confederates, who were compelled to evacuate the city 
from which the battle has taken one of its names. But before the 
result was yet decided, while the fate of the armies still hung in 
the balance. Gen. Wheeler was sent to the rear of the Federal 
forces, to annoy them by attacks upon their wagon trains. A 
long train was at Lavergne, and upon this he intended to make 
a furious assault. Unfortunately for his plans, however, his 
presence in the vicinity was ascertained, and his purpose sus- 
pected by the Federal general, who immediately ordered the 
usual guard of the train to be reinforced by a considerable body 
of infantry. No time was lost in preparing for defense, and when 



252 Rescuing a Comrade. 

the Confederates came up they found the wagons corraled, and 
the blue-coated infantry ready for business. 

Wheeler, however, was determined to have those wagons for 
the materials for a bonfire; his men were equally determined. 
When, therefore, they received the order to charge and capture 
the wagons, there was no hesitation, no hanging back. Not a 
man had straggled on the way, and the whole command dashed 
over the uneven ground like so many birds on the wing. But, as 
often happened during the War, courage upon the one side was 
of no avail, because met by equal courage on the other. The 
great American eagle may carry a lamb to its eyrie, but itwould 
probably find a buffalo somewhat unmanageable. Such was the 
state of affairs at Lavergne, this January day in 1863. The Con- 
federates charged bravely enough, but the Federals stood their 
ground, and repulsed the charge. It seemed like the old co- 
nundrum — ''If an irresistible body strike an immovable body, 
which will give way ?" Cavalry cannot fight at a stand, as in- 
fantry can; it must either advance or retreat; and in this case, 
being unable to do the former, it did the latter, retiring a short 
distance to re-collect its strength for a second assault. 

When the cavalry was within thirty paces of the enemy, one 
of them, Joe Har])er by name, but better known in the command 
as Wisham, lost his'horse by one of the misfortunes of war. As 
his comrades rode back, he was of course left behind, and in a 
most dangerous position, exposed to the full fire of the enemy. 
But no matter how brave a man may be, when he knows that he 
is the mark for forty or fifty carbines at the distance of thirty 
paces, his instinct leads him to find a shelter; Harper's position 
was even worse than the case we have stated, for many more 
pieces were aimed in his direction. Hardly had his horse roll- 
ed to the ground, then, before he realized the situation, and had 
decided upon his course of action. There was a small tree near 
by, and behind that he sprang for shelter. This, however, did 
not make matters much better; it was literally a checkmate, for 
he could not move without being taken, not by knight or castle, 
but by one of the innumerable bullets that might be called pawns. 

The keen-eyed Federals had seen his efforts to shelter him- 
self, and were now peppering the tree with shot. The trunk 
was barely large enough to conceal his body from view; the 
slightest swerving to either side exposed him to their sight. 
Nothing could be hoped, of course, from the branches, which in 



Rescuing a Comrade. 253 

summertime might have concealed him yet more effectually ; the 
only indication he had that there were really limbs to the tree 
was the occasional crack and fall of a bough as a bullet struck it. 
The trunk of the tree was soon deeply indented in many places 
by the balls which had buried themselves in the wood ; how soon 
one might penetrate to him, he could not tell. Yet, as time went 
on, and a fresh volley came past every few seconds, he could 
see no chance of escape; indeed, as he thoughtit over, the prob- 
abilities of such an ending grew " small by degrees and beauti- 
fully less." Doubtful visions of Northern prisons danced before 
his eyes as the bullets whistled by. 

When we spell out, slowly and painfully, in our school-days, 
the classical stories of friendship, we think it wonderful that 
men should entertain so much affection for each other; but then 
that was two or three thousand years ago. Has the world, has 
human nature changed since ? " Greater love hath no man than 
this, that he lay down his life for his friend;" and sometimes, 
amid all the horrors of warfare, the worst of all strifes — a civil 
M-ar, when the ties of blood are forgotten, when brother is pitted 
against brother, father against son — we see beautiful instances 
of a " love passing that of woman " shining out from the dark 
and bloody background. In recalling the friendship of Orestes 
and Pylades, of Damon and Pythias, of David and Jonathan, we 
have not wandered far from the cavalryman sheltered behind 
that lonely tree at Lavergne,with the enemy's ballets whistling 
around him. 

A friend and messmate, familiarly known as " Tom " Gan, or 
more familiarly still, as "Heci<," was among the troopers who 
had retreated. He saw the peril of his friend, and instantly re- 
solved to do all he could to save him. True, the man in danger 
might be secure when the whole Confederate line advanced, but 
Heck did not know when that would be, and had no mind to 
wait for that time. 

"Hello, Wisham !" he caiied, from his place in the group of 
troopers. 

"Hello, Heck !" came the answer, somewhat dolefully, from 
the tree. 

" If I come to you, will you meet me ?" 

"I will," came the answer, with as much emphasis as the dis- 
tance would permit. 

It must be remembered that this one tree was the only shelter 



254 Rescuing a Comraae, 

between the Confederates and the Federals, that the former were 
barely out of range, and that Gan would have to ride nearly the 
whole distance exposed to the guns of the entire force of Feder- 
als. The volleys, he knew would come with hardly any inter- 
mission, for the Boys in Blue were armed with those repeating 
carbines which one observing Beb had characterized as " them 
guns you load on Sunday and fire all the week." But the gal- 
lant Tennesseean thought only of saving his friend; and putting 
spurs to his horse, dashed forward. 

No sooner was his intention to leave the ranks perceived by 
the enemy than the carbines were leveled, and a perfect storm 
of shot greeted his advance. It could U4,.rdly be called " Hail to 
the chief who in triumph advances," because he was not a chief 
— "only a private" — but the bullets certainly came like hail, or 
rain, or anything else of the kinc! y^u pi :ase. When the Feds 
saw what the whole plan was, as they diu when Wisham left the 
shelter of his tree, they divided their attentions pretty evenly 
between the two ; certainly, neither had reason to complain of 
being neglected. 

Upon leaving his post of vantage behind the tree-trunk, 
Wisham took a zigzag course, in order that he might the more 
surely avoid these messengers from the enemy; but Gan rode 
straight onward, trusting in the speed of his horse to carry him 
safely through to his friendo 

Wisham had run fully one hundred yards, measured in a 
straight line, before he met his friend and rescuer ; both being 
meanwhile exposed to the fire of the enemy, but neither having 
been hit. Then ensued a scene which, for the activity and strength 
displayed, might have graced a tournament. As Gan, with one 
hand upon the rein, wheeled his horse, he extended the other to 
Harper; and before the animal's head was once more towards 
the Confederate line, the latter had, with the slight help of his 
friend's hand, swung himself up behind the saddle. There was 
not even a momentary halt required for this action; and they 
had hardly met before they were galloping at full speed to 
their friends. 

As the success of the daring attempt became evident, there 
was intense excitement among the Confederates, and cheer after 
cheer went up — not the wild "Eebel yell " which was Stonewall 
Jackson's favorite music, but deep and hearty cheers. Mean- 
while, the Federals did not relax their attentions, but continued 



Rescuing a Comrade. 



255 



to waste, powder and shot upon the two friends, who seemed to 
bear the charmed lives which, in the old classical days, they would 
have been said to possess. Thus they reached their friends, and 
Wisham was speedily provided with a horse j for though he had 
been endangered by the loss of his steed, many of his comrades 
had been less fortunate; their horses had returned with the re- 
pulsed cavalry, riderless. Eiding up alongside of Gan, after 
the first wave of gratitude had somewhat subsided, he said : 




Rescuhig a Comrade. 

" Heck, old boy, that was a close shave, wasn't it V 

"Yes, Wisham," answered Heck, soberly, "it was a mighty 

close shave." 

A moment was passed in silence, and then Heck asked : 
"What's the matter, Wisham '( Wliat makes you so quiet?" 
"I was just thinking of my feelings when we were both on that 

horse, with the Yanks peppering us." 
" How'd you feel ? Scared ?" 
"Well I don't know if you'd call it scared or not; but I just 

felt like, without wishing you any harm, I'd like mighty wel' t.o 

be the one in the saddle with some other fellow behind." 



SECRET SERVICE. 

A Mysterious Order — The Man Needed — Explanation of the Order — Disappear- 
ance of the Soldier — Sudden Appearance of the Quaker — Interviewing the 
Picket — Distritjuting Tracts and Examining Fortifications — An Innocent Note 
— With Much iSIeaning — An Unlucky Meeting — The Quaker Disappears — 
The Kind of Tracts He Meant — Suspicions Verified — News to Gen. Bragg — A 
Fine Old Country Gentleman — And Equally Fine Old Whisky — Gen. Bragg's 
Intentions — Tom Sees the Joke — Delay — Dangerous Proximity — Allaying Sus- 
picions — A Narrow Escape — A Second Mysterious Order. 

General Orders, No. . 

Captain Carter, — th Indiana Volunteers, is hereby relieved from his 
command indefinitely, and will report at these headquarters immediately. 
By order of Maj.-Gen. Eosecrans. 

LlEUT.-CoL. C. GODDARD, A. A. G." 

SUCH was the order read to the Indiana regiment above 
mentioned, on dress parade, one day in January, 1863. 
No one could tell what it meant; on the face of it, it implied dis- 
grace, or censure at least ; yet in what had punishment been de- 
served by the gallant officer so frequently praised by his supe- 
riors, so highly esteemed by his brother officers, so idolized by 
his men ? As the soldiers returned to their quarters, all were 
busily conjecturing the reason for issuing such an order; Cap- 
tain Carter in as much perplexity as any one. He went to his 
tent, however, and putting off his accoutrements, set out for 
headquarters. 

These were in a private mansion in what had been the most 
aristocratic part of Murfreesboro ; but many of the inhabitants 
had deserted their residences at the approach of the Federal 
army; so that it was through a wilderness of houses, either un- 
occupied or filled with the soldiery, that our gallant captain 

256 



I 



Secret Service. 257 

took his way. Stopping before one of those substantial brick 
double houses, with a piazza running along the whole front, up- 
stairs and down, that always appears the embodiment of solid 
comfort, he made his way, duly announced by the orderly, to a 
room in the second story, whose French windows opened on the 
piazza. Before the blazing fire sat an officer in undress uni- 
form, whose rank was indicated only by the buttons of his coat 
being grouped in threes. As Captain Carter was announced, 
this ofiicer arose, and advancing with a pleasant smile that dissi- 
pated all the anxiety of the subordinate, said : 

" This is Capt. Carter, of the — th Indiana Volunteers V 
" It is, sir." 

" You received orders this evening to report immediately V 
" Yes, sir, and I have done so." 

" Sit down, sir. You see, I have for some time been in want 
of a man possessed of certain qualities that would render him fit 
for a very important service. Courage is needed, but that is not 
all; many a man in the army would do. There must be a con- 
siderable degree of judgment and at the same time rapidity of 
thought and combination. Gen. Thomas has been on the out- 
look for some one possessing these qualities, and has selected 
you for the purpose. I need not say that I have every con- 
fidence in Gen. Thomas' judgment. It will be a mission of some 
danger and difficulty — will you undertake it?" 

" I will do anything to further the cause of which I am a sworn 
soldier. It is connected with the secret service, I suppose, sir?" 
"Yes. Please make jonr arrangements for remaining here 
to-night, sending to your quarters for anything you may need. 
Do so now, and then I will give you the full details of the jilan 
which I wish you to execute." 

When Capt. Carter, whose black servant had accompanied 
him to headquai'ters, had made all the arrangements indicated 
by the general, he again reported for instructions. The general 
was seated before a large table, on which was spread a map of 
the surrounding country. 

"You see. Captain Carter, the two armies form nearly a semi- 
circle. The Eebel right is at Hartsville, here on the Cumber- 
land, above Nashville, and the left rests on the shoals below. 
Gen. Bragg's headquarters are at Tullahomaand Gen. Van Dorn 
is at Spring Hill. I want you to go to Van Dorn's headquar- 
ters first, then to Bragg's, and ascertain the numbers, arms, 



258 Secret Service. 

fortifications, efficiency and probable morements of their troops." 

Such was the brief outline of his duty, illustrated, as the gen- 
eral spoke, by the use of the map. After making sure that the 
main points of the expedition were clear in the mind of his lis- 
tener, he proceeded to give various minute directions, and at a 
late hour, dismissed him, with instructions to set out early in the 
morning. 

" But let me impress upon you. Captain, the necessity for ex- 
treme caution ; not only among persons whom we would nat- 
urally suspect, but even among friends. Hold no communica- 
tion whatever with any one in camp regarding this expedition. 
Much of the efiiciency of the secret service is lost, if those com- 
posing it are known. Is your servant entirely reliable V 

" Perfectly, sir ; he is devoted to me. You need have no fears 
as to him." 

"Then he had better, as we arranged at first, accompany you; 
that plan, besides, would keep him from talking to his fellows 
during your absence, if he were so disposed." 

It was a day or so after that, and Captain Carter had not been 
seen about camp since the mysterious order was issued. For all 
that his men knew, the commanding general might have had 
him served up for supper, so completely had he disappeared 
from his usual haunts. But riding leisurely along from a cer- 
tain staunch Union man's house near town, there were two men, 
in one of whom a keen observer might have detected some faint 
resemblance to the man who had disappeared; though the dif- 
ference in dress and manner and age were sufiicient to reassure 
the most suspicious. 

This was a man clad in the quaint garb of a Quaker, and seem- 
ingly, from the peaceful expression of his countenance, intent 
on anything but war. His grizzled locks were longer than usu- 
ally seen, certainly much longer than Capt. Carter's dark hair, 
and though the close-buttoned vest had something of a resem- 
blance, in that respect, to a military coat, its hue was sufficient 
to allay distrust. His servant or companion, whichever the 
Society might have been pleased to call him, seemed a shadow 
of himself; so exactly did the demure peacefulness of the dusky 
face imitate the expression of the fairer one, so exactly was his 
dress patterned after that of the white man. " A merciful man 
is merciful to his beast," and the animals which thetwo Quakers 
bestrode certainly illustrated this; that of the white man was a 



Secret Service. 259 

spirited bay that, possessed by a more worldly man, might have 
made an enviable record on the race-track; and that of the ne- 
gro, though a stouter, heavier animal of less speed, was the 
very model of a well-kept, stout roadster. The pair rode sedately 
onward, until challenged by a vidette of the Confederates. 

" Halt ! who comes there ?" 

" Friends we claim to be to all. Is thee a man of war ?" 

"!N"aryship, nor sailor neither." 

" Isn't thee one of the fighting men of the South?" 

" Well, I rather reckon so, if that's what you mean. What do 
you want. Broadbrim ?" 

" Does thee know another man of war, called Yan Dorn?" 

" I reckon I do," replied the soldier emphatically, and smiling 
at the simplicity of the Quaker's speech; " but you'd better be 
careful how you talk that way about him. The old cuss is apt to 
be a little particular about having his handle to his name." 

"I scarcely understand thee, friend, but thy face appears friend- 
ly and inclined to peace to me and mine. Can thee direct me to 
the place where friend Yan Dorn tarrieth at this present?" 

"Headquarters? Oyes; let me just call the Corporal of the 
Guard." 

That officer being duly summoned, the innocent old Quaker 
and his dusky attendant were duly directed to the general's 
headquarters, and were soon on their way thither. 

<'Well?" asked Gen, Yan Dorn, raising his eyes from the 
maps and charts over which he had been bending, as his orderly 
entered the room. 

"There's an old Quaker gentleman out there, General, who 
says he has urgent business with you." 

" Show him in." 

The Quaker was ushered into the apartment. 

" Thee is the friend Yan Dorn that is called General ?" 

"What is your business with me, sir?" 

"Unworthy vessel as I am to be made of such importance, T 
am the one chosen by the Society of which I am an humble mem- 
ber to disseminate spiritual comfort and counsel among the mis 
guided men who are gathered around thee, to slay their breth 
ren." 

"Humph!" ejaculated the soldier; with as much fierceness as» 
could be thrown into that simple sound. 

"Notwithstanding the fact that they have taken deadly weap' 
17 



200 



/Secret Service. 



ons into their hands, they have not been so sinful in so doing 
as these same brethen who have begun the contest and have in- 
vaded the Soutli ; whereas the men of the South would be con- 
tent to live in peace if the men of the North would but return to 
their homes," 

" Humph !" a little more mildly. 

" Nevertheless, it is sinful for them so to resist even oppression, 
inasmuch as all men are commanded to live in peace and brother- 
hood; but they are fellow-creatures, and we would notwillinglj- 

see them led forth to slaugh- 
ter without some effort to 
comfort and strengthen their 
spirits." 

"What is it you want, sir ?" 
asked the general, his eyes 
turning towards his maps 
again. 

"Permission to distribute 
among the men that follow 
thee such tracts and other 
matters of the kind as I or my 
friends may have been able to 
purchase or otherwise pro- 
cure." 

" Have you any letters of introduction ?" 

"Yea, verily, fori had heard that thee was a man of blood, 
and did not readily believe thy fellow-men ; fearing that having 
taken the sword, thee should perish by the sword." 
"Let me see them, please." 

The Quaker produced a formidable packet and delivered it to 
the soldier; who, finding the writers as prolix as the speaker, 
glanced over one or two, and turned to his desk. 
" What is your name ?" 
"Ezra Thurston." 

"Well, Mr. Thurston, here is a pass which will enable you to 
come and go at will, with any supplies you may wish to bring 
into camp." 

As the Quaker left the room, the general's face relaxed into a 
smile at the character of the visitor; but he soon settled himself 
to his papers again, dismissing the whole matter from his mind 
as unworthy of further thought. The Quaker, for the jDresent 




O'cii. b^di I I uii i>ii 



Secret Service. 



261 



at least, had no need to make use of the pass, for in his saddle- 
bags and capacious pockets were stored a goodly quantity of 
tracts and religious papers. He made his way about the camp, 
with a pleasant word for all; a gentle rebuke for the curses that 
fell upon his ear, although it must be acknowledged that these 
were but few; for roughened as they were'by the soldier-life, 
the men, looking at him with a sort of good-humored smile, for 
the most part spoke as they might have spoken in the presence 
of a little child. 
Ezra Thurston certainly did not slight his work 5 not only 




Van Dorn and the (Quaker. 
among the well, but among the sick and wounded, he took his 
way, followed faithfully by his sable companion. He seemed 
specially anxious that no part of the camp should miss his 
friendly ministrations, and trudged patiently about the forts 
and fortifications to insure that none should be neglected, '^or 
were his offices purely spiritual ; for one wounded man he wrote 
a letter, for which the overtaxed nurse could not find time; to 
another impecunious individual he gave money; bestowing such 
petty favors where he saw that they were desired, until the sol- 
diers were ready to swear he was a regular brick, had he not 
gently checLied them with the injunction : 
" ' Swear not at all/ friend." 



262 Secret Service. 

So the day passed on ; evening was approaching, and the 
day's work was done. Friend Thurston had seated himself in a 
retired angle of the fortifications to note in his substantial mem- 
erandum book the quantity of religious reading matter of vari- 
ous kinds, which he could distribute to advantage among the sol- 
diers. Some of the articles, to be sure, were rather indicative 
of bodily than spiritual comforts, but, as we have seen, his min- 
istrations were practical. This was what he wrote: 

"2 overcoats and 6 hats; 37 shirts; 3,200 tracts— 2,000 for 
the unconverted, at Spring Hill." 

Strangely enough. Gen. Eosecrans, to whom Capt. Carter's 
colored servant delivered this, shortly afterward, read it thus : 

"Two forts of six guns each; thirty-seven additional guns; 
three thousand two hundred troops, two thousand of which are 
cavalry, at Spring Hill." 

But to go back to the Confederate camp. The Quaker, Ezra 
Thurston, was busily making that innocent memorandum which 
was to be so strangely perverted, when a soldier, whose uniform 
and decorations denoted that he held the rank of lieutenant, 
came towards him. The usual greetings were exchanged, in the 
bluff, hearty tone of the soldier, and the even, peaceful one of 
the man of peace. 

"I think I have met you before this, sir, haven't I?" 

"It can hardly be so, friend; I lead a secluded life among the 
members of the Society, and rarely mingle with the world." 

" Haven't you been in camp before, sir? Maybe I saw you 
then." 

" Nay, friend, this is the first time that duty has called me to 
the dwelling of the men of blood. Thee must have known some 
one whose face or bearing resembled mine." 

"Well, I reckon that must be it; I beg your pardon, sir." 

"Thy error hath given no offense, nor hath it done me injury, 
friend; therefore it needs no pardon," answered the Quaker. 

The soldier turned away with a puzzled look upon his face; 
this man's appearance was so familiar, he felt sure that they 
must have met before ; yet there was something so strangely in- 
congruous between the old and the new image in his mind that 
he could hardly reconcile them. Thus endeavoring to decide 
whether or not the Quaker had spoken the truth, he strode away 
to his quarters. 

"Massa, we'd better be trablin', shuah ; dat man didn't half- 



Secret Service. 263 

way belieb you, sah. Dis place gettin' too hot, shuah." 

''jSTo, I don't think he did quite believe me, and no wonder. 
I remember well enough. I took him prisoner at Stone river, 
but he got away again. I'm done, now; we'll go right away." 
E-eturning his memorandum book to his pocket, they sought 
out their horses, and mounting, rode away; Gen. Van Dorn's pass 
answering all objections which the sentinels might have been 
prepared to raise. They rode swiftly onward as long as there 
was no house in sight, slackening their speed and trotting gent- 
ly where there were signs that they were approaching a resi- 
dence. It was nearly dark when they reached a point where a 
road that was little more than a bridle-path through the woods 
joined the pike. Turning their horses' heads to pursue this by- 
way, they were soon lost to view among the trees. Once out 
of sight of the main road, the natural order of traveling was re- 
versed, the servant leading the way, the master following, for 
they were tolerably sure that if danger should threaten them, it 
would come from the rear. 

They had traveled but a little distance in this manner when 
they came to the edge of a clearing, in which a log-house was 
situated. Arrived at this point, Capt. Carter (for we may now 
drop the assumed name and character of Ezra Thurston, the 
Quaker missionary) halted, while Tom, dismounting, went for- 
ward to reconnoiter; having previously exchanged the outer 
garments of the demure cut for others better suited to his gen- 
uine character. Advancing into the clearing, he paused every 
moment, almost, to peer cautiously around him j but at last was 
so well satisfied that all was as he wished it, that he threw a 
small chip against the window-pane. In response to this signal, 
which had been previously arranged, the door opened and a 
man, issuing from it, came through the darkness directly to- 
wards the spot where Tom stood. 

"It's all safe," he said; "where's Captain Carter?" 

" He's jist back in de woods a little piece. Is it all right, 

sah ?" 

"Yes, I tell you there's nothing at all wrong. Go call him." 

Tom trotted off obediently, and the two were soon safely 

housed, warmed and fed. The night having passed, the colored 

man setoff on his errand to Murfreesboro, it being nothing else 

but the delivery of the Quaker's memorandum to Gen. Eose- 

crans. Whether or not the unconverted at Spring Hill ever re- 



264 Secret Service. 

ceived the two thousand tracts which Friend Thurston desired 
for them, history does not, in so many words relate; hut the 
present writer leans to the opinion that tracts of land, seven by 
two, or perhaps a few larger ones in joint ownership, were what 
he really meant to give them. 

Tom returned in good time, and once more changing their 
clothes, the two again set out. This time, Capt. Carter appear- 
ed to be a planter of some means, and accustomed (to judge by 
his rubicund face) to high living and hard drinking; attended, 
of course, by his negro servant, who was carefully costumed for 
his present role. The adoption of this second disguise, so total- 
ly different from the first, which had been successful, will at 
first sight appear a superfluous caution ; but although it had 
been provided long before the Confederate lieutenant half-rec- 
ognized the Quaker, the sequel proved that it was well that they 
had done so. As has been said, the Eeb was not more than half 
satisfied with the assurances of Thurston, and went to his quar- 
ters trying to recall the circumstances under which he had seen 
that face before. Again and again he tried to accept the Quak- 
er's words as true, but always failed. Half an hour, perhaps 
more, was passed thus, when suddenly it flashed across his mind, 
and he sprang to his feet with the words : 

" It's the Yank that captured me at Stone River !" 

It may well be believed that he lost no time in communicating 
his suspicions, or rather, knowledge, to Gen. Van Dorn. It was 
of course, at once apparent the guileless Quaker was a spy in 
the employ of the Federal general, and every effort must be 
made to prevent his return to that officer. The lieutenant who 
had made the discovery was dispatched with a force to scour the 
woods to intercept the flight of the fugitives, for, as will be re- 
membered, they had left the camp as soon as they perceived the 
approach of danger. Thus the Confederates had lost, and the 
Federals had gained valuable time, which the latter had been 
enabled, by the excellence of their horses, to improve to the ut- 
most. They had been so far favored by the delay as to have 
reached the clearing when the pursuers set out. But Van Dorn 
had calculated on not catching the spies, and had dispatched a 
courier with a note to Gen. Bragg, warning him of the pretend- 
ed Quaker's real character. 

Gen. Bragg had received this note and given the necessary 
orders for the course to he pursued in case such a jjerson were 



Secret Service. 265 

found about the camp, and had dismissed the whole affair from 
his mind until he should have attended to certain other matters 
of immediate importance, when " Col. Ashcroft'' was announced 
as wishing earnestly to see him. The orderly was directed to 
admit him, and Capt. Carter was ushered into the apartment. 

"I live near Brandy ville. General," the new-comer explained 
after the usual salutations had been interchanged; "and came 
down to see if you couldn't do something for us ; the Feds are 
worrying us nearly to death up there." 

"Indeed! In what way ?" inquired the general, with sympa- 
thetic concern for the story so often heard. 

"Why, they drive off our horses and cattle, and carry off 
every bushel of grain they can find. Then their accursed foraging, 
as they call it, is nothing more than theft, sir, theft. Eggs, and 
chickens, and butter, and honey, and vegetables, and fruits — 
everything of that kind they carry away." 

"Excuse me, sir, if I ask your name again; the orderly does 
not always speak distinctly." 

"Ash croft, sir." 

"Ah, I have heard of you and your famil}^ in very favorable 
terms, sir. I shall be glad to do all in my power to protect so 
loyal a citizen." 

"Yes, sir. I am loj-al, and always expect to be so." [The 
truth. Captain Carter, but Gen. Bragg did not understand your 
emphatic assertion.] "We've tried to do our duty by the Con- 
federacy, sir, and you're welcome to the little we have left, if you 
take the last bushel of grain and carry it off on the back of the 
last mule; but we're good Secessionists and don't want the 
d d Yanks to be living off of us." 

"Certainl}^, sir; I will see what can be done; and, believe me, 
I will make every effort to protect you and your property from 
the Yanks. But you have come some distance, haven't J'ou? I 
am sorry I have nothing better than this whisky to offer you — 
maybe when Semmes has swept the seas. Cognac will be obtain- 
able once more. The French are as friendly to us, nearly, as 
the British." 

"You decry your whisky without cause, General, for, allow- 
ing for its age, which isn't very great, it is not bad. But allow 
me to send to my portmanteau for a bottle of fine old Bordeaux 
I have there — imported before the war. It's not only old, but 
it was good to begin with; but it will speak for itself — good 



266 Secret Service. 

wine, you know, needs no bush. I want you to try it. General." 

The colored servant soon returned with the bottle. 

"It is, indeed, one of the best wines I ever drank," said the 
General, as he sipped the rare wine." Let nie pledge you, Colo- 
nel — here's to your freedom from annoyance from the Yankees." 

" And here's to your army, General ; may it find plenty left 
when it comes to drive away the Feds." 

" That would be but a poor return, Colonel, for your loyalty," 
the general answered, laughing. 

"It isn't the value of the things that worries me, General, it's 

the idea of the d d Yankees getting it. I sent a hundred 

bushels of meal to Gen, Wheeler as a gift, the other day, just to 
keep the confounded Feds from getting it." 

"By the way. Colonel, did you see anything of a Quaker on 
the road this morning?" 

"With a bundle of tracts? Mr., or rather Friend, Thurston, 
he calls himself, I believe; with a nigger servant?" 

"I don't know his name, but that is the one I mean. He's a 
spy." 

"A Yankee spy!" 

"Exactly," replied the officer, smiling at his visitor's angry 
surprise. 

" The devil ! I gave him and his darkey their suppers last 
night. If I'd known who he was, I'd — I'd — " 

Words failed him, or appeared to do so; while the general 
answered, reassuringly : 

"Well, Colonel, never mind. We can't help being taken in 
sometime ; he deceived even Gen. Van Dorn, who is pretty apt to 
have his wits about him. Why, he might have deceived wc — I 
don't say he would, but he might have done it. But we'll catch 
him, yet. In fact, we must do it, for he has some valuable in- 
formation. I'm going to make a feint on the enemy's flanks to- 
morrow with my cavalry, and hope to get him that way. Anj^- 
how, we'll soon have that cunning old Dutchman, Rosecrans. 
I'm expecting some Georgia and Alabama troops in a few days." 

"Well, General, I can't tell you how much I hope for your 

success. Don't leave one of the d d mudsills on our soil — it's 

every whit as sacred as that of Virginia — the soil of the whole 
Confederacy is. But it's getting late, and I want to try and get 
some supplies before I start home. Will you be kind enough to 
give me a pass ?" 



Secret Service. 267 

"Certainly; and a bill of protection for ycur person and 
property ; we'll leave you whatever you have, so you can give it 
voluntarily, you see," the soldier replied, in a jocular manner. 

" I am sure your kindness — " 

"No thanks, my friend; I have not deserved them. It 
wouldn't speak well for the Confederacy if her soldiers did not 
protect and help those who befriend them. Good-night." 

The "planter" mounted his horse, and followed by his trusty 
darkey, made his way out of camp. They were scarcely out of 
earshot of the last picket, when Tom, unable to contain himself 
any longer, burst out: 

" Grolly for Moses, Massa, but you been right in de middle ob 
de fire talkin' to de ole debbil hisself. Don't see how you done 
it." 

And Tom showed all his teeth, as a proof that he had enjoyed 
to the full the little comedy which we have just described. 

" Don't talk so loud, Tom; there might be some one lurking 
around. We've done now, and we'll take a straight shoot up 
Hoover's gap and get to camp as soon as we can." 

" Heard de Cunnel say dars a regiment just gwine up de Man- 
chester road toward Hoober's Gap; dey gwine to ketch dat 
damned Quaker spy, dey say." And Tom grinned again, roll- 
ing up his eyes until nothing could be seen but the whites. 

"Then we'll take the Shelbyville road, and run the risk of 
meeting Yan Dorn. It's the best we can do." 

They rode on for some distance, when Captain Carter's horse 
became frightened at some trifling circumstance, and in spite of 
all the efforts of his rider grew quite unmanageable. Eearing 
and plunging, he scorned the control of bit and bridle. Behold 
our gallant captain, then, laid sprawling upon the road, while 
Tom did his best to capture the frightened animal; since their 
safety might depend, before they got back to camp, upon the 
swiftness with which they could go. 

"Is you hurt, massa?" 

" Not much, Tom, I believe. I fell on my right shoulder pret- 
ty heavily, but I don't think there are any bones broken. I wish 
you'd go to that house at the top of the hill and ask them if they 
can keep us over night. I can't go on now, but I think I can in 
the morning." 

Torn was off in an instant, and speedily returned to conduct 
his master to the shelter which had been cordially granted. His 



268 Secret Service. 

hostess (for, as usual in war times, there were no men about the 
house) bathed his shoulder and prepared him a bed by the fire. 
How long he slept among her soft blankets and downy pillows 
he did not know; but it seemed only a moment before he was 
awakened by the noise of horses' hoofs in thej'ard below. A call 
aroused the people of the house, and a conversation ensued of 
which he could only catch such fragments as : 

" Gen. Van Dorn — stay here to-night — give us beds — to-morrow 
morning — ." 

The reply was in so low a tone that he heard only an indistinct 
murmur that gave him no clue as to whether this was Gen. Van 
Dorn himself, or whether he was to be expected. He knew, how- 
ever, that he was in very great danger, for if these were a por- 
tion of Van Dorn's command sent out to seek for the Quaker, he 
might be recognized, in spite of his second disguise. But whether 
Van Dorn were here, or had sent his soldiers to look for him, or 
these were a portion of another- command, he resolved to trust 
to luck, and stay where he was. Fortune favors the brave, and 
it certainly was propitious in this case. 

"Just walk into this room, sir, if you please; supper will be 
ready in a short time." 

And the lady ushered him into the room where our bruised and 
battered hero lay. Eeconnoitering through his half closed eye- 
lids, the Federal saw that the new comer's uniform was liberally 
bedizened with gilt buttons and gold lace, the ornaments being 
arranged so as to indicate that the wearer held the rank of lieu- 
tenant-general in the Confederate army. Who it was, he could 
not tell; certainly — and he breathed more freely — not Van Dorn 
or Bragg. 

"The gentleman on the sofa was thrown from his horse a short 
distance down the road, general, and asked nie to give him shel- 
ter for the night. Had I known that Gen. Hardee was to honor 
me with a visit I would not have put him to bed in my sitting- 
room." 

"I trust I shall not disturb him, and I hardly think he will an- 
noy me. You are not acquainted with him, then? You don'l 
know his poliuics or symj^athies ?" 

Just at this juncture, as if in answer to the question, the sup- 
posed "planter" started up and cried: 

"Run, Tom; take the horses and niggers down to the wood 
pasture and keep them there. The Yankees are coming." 



Secret Service. 269 

Muttering, "Be quick about it, be quick, quick," he sank down 
upon the pillow again, all the time apparently fast asleep. The 
Confederate had paused to hear the order, and now turned to the 
hostess with a smile : 

"'A man says when he is drunk what he thinks when he's 
sober,' and I reckon it's the same as to his sleeping and waking 
hours. I haven't any doubt about his politics now. The reason 
I had for asking was that there is a spy in our lines we're anx- 
ious to catch, and we naturally suspect every stranger. But 
he's all right." 

If it were a relief to find that this was not Gen. Van Dorn, it 
was still a matter of anxiety that there should be searchers in 
the very house in which he had been obliged to take refuge. If 
questioned by them, w.hat should he give as his residence? 
Whatever locality he might fix upon might be the home of one 
of the Confederates and thus be the very means of convicting 
him. 

Whatever was to be done, must be done quickly. He lay 
upon the sofa apparently asleej), but really racking his brain to 
plan an escape, as the Confederate ofiicer awaited his supper. At 
last the summons came, welcome alike to Confederate and Fed- 
eral; and as the general followed his hostess from the room, the 
captain opened his eyes, to see the faithful Tom beckoning as 
wildly as he dared. Springing to his feet, forgetful of all inju- 
ries, he was soon at the side of the darkey. 

" I'se got de horses all readj^, sah," whispered Tom, "come 
out dis wa}^ Dey'll be busy for some time yet in dar." 

Tom had thoroughly reconnoitered the premises, and led his 
master safely out of the house, by way of a side door. As they 
passed under the dining-room windows, they could hear the 
clink of knives and forks, and the sound of voices — certain sign 
that they were not suspected. Fortunately, the absence of the 
injured man was not discovered for more than an hour; and by 
that time the two fugitives had far distanced pursuit. It was 
nearly midnight when they started, and not until the afternoon 
of the next day were tliey able to reach the Federal lines, and 
report the result of observations to Gen. Eosecrans. 

In the meantime, curiosity had been rife amid his comrades as 
to what had become of Capt. Carter. They had discussed the mat- 
ter in the various circles that make up the army, and not being 
able to discover any new faetf by the light of their own under- 



270 Secret Service. 

standing, determined upon inquiry; the private asked the cor- 
poral, the corporal asked the sergeant, the sergeant apj^ealed to 
the commissioned officers of the company, they to the tield offi- 
cers of the regiment, until finally the colonel put the question to 
Gen. Thomas, who shamelessly disclaimed all knowledge of the 
captain's fate. Since Gen. Thomas, who said he did not know, 
did not ask Gen. Eosecrans, the inquiry stopped there; nor was 
any one the wiser about it until Capt. Carter's return to camp, 
when the following order was read to the regiment, assembled 
for parade as it had been on the evening on which our story 
opens: 

"Special Field Order No. 

" Captain Carter, ( — th Indiana Vols.) is hereby ordered to i-eturn to 
his command, and is recommended for promotion. 

By order of W. Sr Eosecrans, Maj.-Oen. 

LlEUT.-CoL. C. GODDARD, A. A. G." 



f! HAPTEN ;(7Y. 

ONE OF MOSBY'S RAIDS. 

Affairs at Fairfax Court House — Disposing of tlie Pickets — The Meaning of It — 
Prisoners and Booty — A Narrow Escape — Different Statements. 

IT was the night of March 8th, 1863. There was a Federal 
force encamped in the village known as Fairfax Court- 
House, Virginia, and the usual precautions had. been taken to 
prevent a surprise; pickets were duly posted, though there was 
no countersign out; and the night bade fair to be unmarked by 
any other event than the relief of the guard at the usual time. 
It was a dark and rainy night, and as the sentinels paced their 
beats they wished that something might haj^pen to take them 
"in out of the wet," it did not much matter what. But the 
hours passed slowly away; the rain still fell in torrents; and the 
tired guards still kept watch over their sleeping comrades. 

Meanwhile, the event of the night was drawing near. That 
very evening a body of men had ridden away from a camp some 
miles distant, and had bent their course towards Fairfax Court- 
House. There were but thirty of them in all, including their 
leader ; a man whose very name was yet to be a terror to small 
jDarties of Federals apart from the larger forces — John S. Mosby, 
then captain, afterwards colonel. They had timed their ride so 
as to reach their destination about midnight, but in the rain and 
the darkness they mistook the road, and lost two hours. It was 
two o'clock on the morning of March 9th, then, when they rode 
towards the Federal guards posted to the east of the village. 

The sentry stood at his post, wearily wondering when the 
night would clear, and cursing the luck that put him on duty in 
such weather, when two horsemen were seen approaching. 

" Halt ! Who goes there ?" he challenged, sleepily. 

271 



-~2 One of Mbsby's Raids. 

•'I'll blow youi' brains out if you say another word," hissed 
one of the horsemen in his very ear. 

There was just enough light for him to see that a pistol was 
pointed at his head at a disagreeably short distance; and as he 
turned slightly, he saw the same spectacle in another direction. 
He accordingly kept his eyes fixed, lest he should see the same 
thing again in this dreadful kaleidoscojDe, and answered never 
a word. His arms were demanded, and he gave them up with- 
out a sound of remonstrance or objection. The other pickets 
were disposed of in much the same way, their horses, arms, and 
accoutrements being carefully secured. This work, however, 
did not require the entire force; the detachment to which the 
duty had been assigned before setting out had engaged in it 
without hesitation, while the others rode on. Captain Mosby, 
with two of his men, sought out the headquarters of Gen. 
Stoughton, and ascended to that officer's apartment. Walking 
into the room where the Federal lay sleeping, the Confederate 
shook him by the shoulder with the summons : 

" General, gefe up." 

The rudely awakened man started up in bed, rubbed his eyes, 
resumed his dignity and severity of manner, and demanded 
sternly : 

" What does this mean, sir?" 

" It means that this place is in the possession of Stuart's cav- 
alry, and you are a prisoner. Please dress quickly — I can give 
you but little time." 

''Who are you?" asked the general in astonishment. 

" John S. Mosby, commanding the force of cavalry that is at 
this place." 

Mosby's name, even at that early day, meant daring and dash, 
but Stoughton never once supposed that he would be so foolhardy 
as to enter Fairfax with such a handful of men as he really had; 
and surrendered himself to the partisan. In other quarters, the 
Confederates were less fortunate. Col. Wyndham, who was act- 
ing-brigadier of cavalry, had, luckily for himself, started for 
Washington a short time before ; but their visit to his lieadquar- 
ters was not without its results, for his aid, the Austrian Baron 
Yardneror Wordener, was captured, as were several fine horses. 
Capt. Barker, of the Fifth New York Cavalry, was also made 
prisoner, and thirty privates were taken. Col. Johnson, how- 
ever, escaped capture by concealing himself under a barn. Five 



One of Mosby's Raids. 



278 



minutes after securing this place of safety, a guard of three men 
wat placed on the building ; but they did not think of searching 
beneath it. The provost-marshal had just gone to interview one 
of the videttes, regarding horses and horse thieves, and thus was 
not found by the Confederates, who searched diligently for this 
important officer. 

In order that the prisoners would not be obliged to walk, the 
Confederates helped themselves to horses from the officer's 
stablest fifty-eight in all, including those of the pickets, being 
taken. This capture of horses was of course solely on account 
of the prisoners, 

who numbered W^^^^^^^^^^^^ '-^J=fn ^ 
thirty-three. A 
larger number 
of horses could 
have been cap- 
tured, but the 
small size of the 
raiding force 
prevented it, as 
they feared to 
encumber them- 
selves. The 
stores were all 
so protected that 
they could not 
l>e destroyed 
without burning 
the town, and 
this, for pruden- "^^'^'^^ ^'^^^ ^^" ''''''''' '"■'" 

tial reasons, Mosby wished to avoid. Such a measure would, of 
course, alarm not only the two hundred Federals who were in the 
town itself, and who, so quietly was the whole thing carried out, 
did not suspect the presence of the enemy, but would bring down 
upon them the two brigades, infantry and cavalry, encamped 
near by, as well as the two thousand troops at Centreville. Into 
such a hornet's nest had they deliberately plunged their hand. 

Contenting themselves with the thirty-three prisoners, fifty- 
eight horses and the arms and equipments that they had thus 
easily captured, the thirty Confederates retreated ; being in 
somewhat of a hurry, for they must be beyond the Federal lines 




274 One of Mosby's Raids. 

before daylight, and more than an hour had been consumed by 
the operations in the town. In leaving the village, they passed 
within two hundred yards of the fortifications at Centerville, 
and were hailed by one of the sentinels there ; but they were not 
delayed, and they reached camp in safety with all their prisoners 
and booty, without the loss of one of their own number. Gen. 
Stuart issued a congratulatory order, warmly commending all 
who took part in the expedition for the daring courage and the 
executive power displayed. 

Two statements in regard to this raid curiously illustrate the 
difficulties of the historian in obtaining correct figures. The first 
is from the report of the provost-marshal of the post to Col. 
VVyndham, commandant ; the second, from a letter written by 
Capt. Mosby to a friend, and published in the ^xchraowd Enquirer 
a few days after the raid took place : 

" I am told by parties who had seen them that they were some 
three hundred strong." 

''I had only twenty-nine men under my command." 

We leave the reader to determine for himself whether the pro- 
cess used was multiplication or division. 



■pHAPTEF^ 77¥l- 



AN ADVENTURE OF PAULINE CUSIOIAN. 

Startling Advice — The Toast — Effect on the Audience — " Banished South " — Her 
Wanderings — Securing a Disguise — Setting Out — A Camp Fire — Friends or 
Foes ? — Foes — Betrayed — Pursued — The Wounded Federal — Help — Captured 
— Scaring Her Captors— liscape — After Adventures. 

^^'T'P you will take my advice, Miss Cushman, you will do what 
1 they have asked." 

" Col. Moore !" 

"Of course, I know that you would not feel it; if I were not 
sure of that, I should arrest you immediately ; but if you are 
willing to serve our country, do this." 

" Willing to serve my country" ? I would die for it I" 

" Die for it,if need be; if not, live for it. If you will only do 
this, you can do more real service than a regiment of men." 

The scene was the provost-marshal's office at Louisville, in 
March, 1863 ; the speakers were Col. Moore, the provost-marshal, 
and Pauline Cushman, then known only as a popular actress, 
now more famous as a scout and spy for the Federals. The 
question which they were discussing was whether, in accordance 
with the request of some gentlemen, she should drink a Rebel 
toast in public that night. As soon as those who urged it upon 
her had left her, she hastened to the official, and on reporting the 
matter, was advised to drink the toast. Sending word to her 
friends that she would comply with their request, the news was 
soon all over town — at least, among those of Southern sympa- 
thies. For it must be remembered that while Kentucky and 
Missouri ostensibly remained in the Union, there was a large 
population in both states that was intensely Southern; and 
along the border generally, the feeling was even stronger than 
18 275 



276 



An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 



in those parts of the country farther removed from the seat of 
war. Then, too, in a place situated as Louisville then was, with 
a large Secessionist population, but in possession of the United 
States troops, the dominant party was considered fair game, 
to be worsted in an encounter of wits or tricks whenever pos- 
sible. 

The theater was packed that evening, with an unsuspecting 
array of Union people and an expectant host of Secessionists. 
The moment arrived when the action of the piece required Miss 

Cushman to drink a cer- 
tain toast; it was given — 
"To Jeff. Davis and the 
Southern Confederacy !" 
A moment's pause, and 
then broke forth the storm 
of cheers and hisses — a 
combination due, of 
course, to the peculiar 
circumstances. The play 
went on, after a consider- 
able delay, and at last it 
was finished. Going be- 
hind the scenes when the 
performance was over. 
Miss Cushman found a 
guard in waiting, to convey her as a prisoner to the provost- 
marshal's office. After some persuasion from the manager, they 
were, however, induced to postpone the execution of their duty 
until the next day. 

Of coui-se, the arrest was a ruse, and only intended to enable 
Miss Cushman to get the confidence of the Southern people 
about town. The authorities were aware that there were many 
persons in Louisville who supplied the Confederates with in- 
formation and valuable stores; but it was done so adroitly that 
the guilty persons could onlj^ bo discovered by some such 
means as this. 

In accordance with the directions of Col. Moore, Miss Cush- 
man behaved quietly in public, talking very little; but while in 
company with those whom she knew to be Southern in feeling, 
gave way to the bitterest denunciations of the Federal authori- 
ties, and the most violent admiration of everything Confederate. 




Pauline Cushman. 



An Adventure of Pauline Cus/nnan. 277 

In this way, she removed herself far from suspicion in the eyes 
of the Secessionists, while the Union people came to look ujjon 
her with hatred. Assuming various disguises, she brought to 
light many important secrets, and performed many valuable ser- 
vices as a scout. 

At last, however, the provost-marshal informed the pseudo- 
Eebel that he could no longer tolerate her violent secession pro- 
clivities, and she was, in accordance with the custom of the day, 
banished from the lines. In reality, she was detailed by Col. 
Truesdail, Chief of the Army Police, to visit the headquarters of 
Gen. Bragg, and secure all information possible. The fact that 
she had a brother in the Confederate army would make it com- 
paratively easy to do this, as under the pretense of looking for 
him, she could travel without suspicion from one camp to 
another, and would be most gallantly assisted in her search by 
the chivalrous soldiers of Dixie. Southward she went then, 
having been duly instructed in what to do and what not to do, 
and properly sworn into the service of the United States. 

We need not follow her steps minutely in her journey to Gen. 
Bragg's headquarters, and, subsequently, in the rear of the Con- 
federate army, as it moved into South Carolina. There is no lack 
of interest in the story, but it is eclipsed by the part which we 
propose to recount. Desiring to make her way back to Col. 
Truesdail at l^ashville, she pretended that she wished to recover 
her theatrical wardrobe, in order that she might accept a prof- 
fered engagement in Eichmond ', she having been deprived of all 
her baggage in her banishment. 

On her return, then, she had gotten nearly to Shelbyville, 
when the disturbed state of the country rendered it advisable 
for her to remain a few days at a small village called Wartrace. 
Only a day or so before her arrival at this place, there had been 
a pretty heavy skirmish there, and the country was full of scout- 
ing parties of both Federals and Confederates. Could she only 
fall in with one of the former, she knew that she could send 
much valuable information to headquarters; intelligence that, 
like griddle-cakes, would be of no use when stale. To openly 
communicate with them would be to forfeit all further chance of 
escaping suspicion ; it must be done secretly, if at all. 

The first difficulty was to secure a disguise. In Louisville, she 
had been well provided with a number of costumes, male and 
female, but, of course, it would not have done to take these with 



278 An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 

her when she went Soiith, for her baggage might be liable to 
search; and the presence of disguises would at once brand her as 
a spy. The matter Avas carefully considered, and after long 
cogitation, she hit upon a plan. There was a boy of about seven- 
teen living in the house where she was boarding, and her quick 
eye saw that his clothes would not be a bad fit on her. But how 
to become possessed of them ? He must, of course, know nothing 
about it; secrecy in every respect was essential to her safety; 
hence the meditated expedition must be undertaken and accom- 
plished in one night — between the hour for retiring and that for 
rising. 

She had decided what clothes she would wear, and she was not 
long in determining how to get them. Had she known the exact 
locality of his room, the task would have been easier ; as it was, 
she knew only that it was, with half-a-dozen other bedrooms, in 
the upper story of the house. Tradition says that she made her- 
self lovely in what the modest writer, taking refuge in French, 
would wish to term a robe denuit) but not having been there, he 
can only repeat what others have said. The reader must know 
that even in this part of her plan disguise might be necessary, 
and in case any one discovered her roaming about the passage- 
ways, she intended to play the leading role in La Somnambula 
for his especial benefit; though perhaps he would be kind enough 
to take her for a ghost, and run away without attempting to in- 
terview the dreadful apparition. 

As we have said, there were several bedrooms upon this floor, 
and she did not know which was the one for which she was look- 
ing. Of course, to have entered the wrong one would have 
alarmed the house, and, in spite of her costume, perhaps have 
betrayed her. There was a moment's pause at each door, as she 
listened to the deep breathing of the sleej^ers within ; trying in 
that way to decide which was the door to open. Having at last 
arrived at a solution of the problem, as she supposed, she touch- 
ed the knob of one door lightly, turned it softly, and was about 
to swing the door open, when a voice from within cried : 

<< What do you want?" 

"O, what's the matter with you?" growled another; "Lay 
down and go to sleep, do." 

"There's somebod}" at the door." 

" "Well, get up and see who it is, and don't holler out that way 
in a fellow's ear." 



An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 



279 



She had listened long enough to know that neither of these 
was the voice she had expected to hear, and hearing noises in 
the surrounding rooms which indicated that all the occupants 
had been disturbed, she glided softly into a small apartment 
whose door was near by, and which she had suj^posed, from the 
silence within, was untenanted. But the moonlight which shone 
in the low window told a different story; it revealed to her the 
form of the very person she was seeking, and, more important 
still, it showed her his clothes on a chair near the bed. Amid all 
the noise which the occupants of the other rooms were making, 
he slept on, in the heavy, 
dreamless sleep of youth. 
Possessing herself of the 
prize, she waited breath- 
lessly until the tumult 
without should have sub- 
sided; then, gliding noise- 
lessly out, she made her 
way to her own room. 

The flowing white robe 
in which she had expect- 
ed to play the part of 
sleep-walker or spirit was 
quickly discarded for the 
less beautiful, but more 
substantial garments of 
butterilut jeans, and pass- 
ing the ebony sentinel of 
the household fast asleep 
in the hall, she bent her 
stejjs to the stable, there 
to select the most prom- 
ising horse for her purpose. 

It was the early summer-time, and the grass, not yet thinned 
and deadened by the heat and drought of July, formed a thick 
cai'pet over the ground, save where beaten paths and dusty 
roads formed street and sidewalk for the little town ; for plank 
walks were a luxury reserved for the public square, and mac- 
adam was a. thing unheard of. But the lack of a substantial 
roadway, which in March might have proved a drawback by rea- 
son of the mud, was an advantage in June; for her horse's hoofs 




A Midnight Visitor. 



280 An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 

fell so softly upon the thick verdure that no sound aroused the 
sleeping citizens, in vague alarm lest the enemy were coming. 

She rode somewhat cautiously until there was no longer any 
danger in that direction, and then, urging her horse to gfeater 
speed, went to work in dead earnest. Her difficulties were con- 
siderably increased by her ignorance of the movements of small 
bodies of troops in the immediate vicinity. She who could have 
told the Federal officials all about Gen. Bragg's army, was 
afraid of falling in with a Confederate picket. 

Great caution was, of course, necessary, for if she came near 
any camp, she must not be perceived until she had rcconnoitcr- 
ed, and found the soldiers were friends. The necessity for sueh 
careful proceeding was shown before she had gone three miles. 
A glow, other than the pale moonlight, lit up the woods; it 
was, beyond doubt, a camp-fire. That, of itself, was nothing; it 
might be friends, it might be foes. A reconnoissance became a 
necessity; so, dismounting, she carefully tied her horse, and 
crept noiselessly toward the fire. 

Being under the necessity of sheltering herself from observa- 
tion, she could not get near enough to the group to distinguish 
any marks of service to which they belonged. Here and there 
were visible the letters " S. A.," but by a strange fatality the 
first of the mark was hidden from her sight; it might be " C." 
or "U." In the fitful light of the camp-fire, and at such a dis- 
tance, she could not distinguish whether their uniforms were 
blue or gray. Gradually and cautiously she crept nearer, deter- 
mined to discover the character of the party before she reVealed 
her own presence in their neighborhood. 

As she crouched in the thicket, peering earnestly through the 
thick foliage which surrounded her, she heard them laughing 
and talking among themselves, unconscious of listeners. 

" This is good liquor, and no mistake," said one, as he passed 
a flask to his nearest comrade. 

" Pity that a fellow that carried such stuff as that about with 
him had the bad taste to be on the other side." 

" Wal, I dunno about that. If he'd been one of us, I reckon 
he'd a finished it himself, before the enemy got a chance at it." 

A guffaw followed this brilliant piece of wit — any joke is good 
when washed down with good liquor — and the conversation was 
resumed by the same speaker: 

"'S long 's he was a good judge of whisky and had the ear- 



282 



An Adventure of Pauline Cushman, 




An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 283 

marks of a gentleman, let's drink to his comrades. Here's to 
'em, boys ! May they all soon be with him !" 

"Andmaywe help to send them there — amen," responded 
another, in a tone of mock devotion. 

" Tell you what, boys, that was a close shave, wasn't it now ?" 

"You bet it was; it was jist nip and tuck which should whip, 
us or the Yanks." 

"■ Wouldn't mind one like it everj^ tlajj so's we could git rid 
of as many Feds." 

The last two speeches had solved the problem ; it was a camp 
of Confederates, or, perhaps, of guerillas, and she must get out 
of their neighborhood as quickly as possible. Stealing cautious- 
ly towards her horse, a twig turned and snapped under her foot. 
Instantly one of the soldiers by the fire, more watchful than his 
companions, started to his feet and looked about him. 

" What's the matter with you ?" asked a comrade, looking up 
at the man, who stood peering into the darkness beyond the 
light of the fire. 

" Didn't you hear that?" 

''Hear what?" 

" There's somebody over there." 

" O, it's some innocent old cow ; do sit down and — " 

" It wa'n't no cow, Captain !" 

This last word, in a somewhat louder tone, to attract the atten- 
tion of the officer who sat on the other side of the fire. 

"What is it?" 

"There's somebody prowling about the camp, I think." 

Instantly the order was given that each man should resume 
his heavier arms, which he had laid aside for greater comfort, 
and that the force should scour the woods until the straggler 
should be found. The words had hardly been spoken before the 
stack of arms beside the fire had been demolished and the men, 
now fully armed, were in the saddle. What had lately been a 
picture of rest after the battle became a scene of wildest confu- 
sion. Miss Cushman had hastened to her horse's side as soon as 
she saw that her presence was perceived, and hastily mounting, 
had dug the spurs into his side. But her pursuers lost as little 
time, and were soon within a few yards, mounted upon animals 
in as good a condition, apparently, as her own. Onward they 
flew, threading their way betT/eeu the trees, bounding over the 
slighter obstacles which there was not time to avoid. 



284 An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 

''Halt !" shouted the oncoming pursuers. "Halt! Surrender I" 
But of this she had no notion. Again came the summons : 

" Halt and surrender, I say, you d d Yank." 

As if to emphasize the order, a bullet whistled past her head; 
and, as she continued on her course, regardless of the summons, 
another and another musket were fired in rapid succession. 
Dangers thickened around her; if capture were perilous, escape 
might be worse ; to ride into Wartrace with these men follow- 
ing her, would be to arouse the whole town ; for they were yel- 
ling like so many devils let loose; and to be seen in her present 
costume by those who knew her as Pauline Cushman would be 
to reveal her character as a Union spy. She dared not, then, 
take the direct road to Wartrace, but must choose a more circu- 
itous route, trusting to elude her pursuers somewhere on the way. 
Galloping onward through the dense woods, where only here 
and there the moonlight could penetrate the thick foliage, and 
all else lay in black shadow, she came to a more open space, 
and horrified at what she saw, endeavored to check her horse. 
Before her lay a wide gully, with its sides rendered almost pre- 
cipitous by the flood of water which in the early spring had 
foamed along it; but now, the raging stream had dwindled to a 
mere brook that rippled gleaming in the moonlight, in the 
lower part of its bed; and, a month later, would have disap- 
peared. But it was not the rivulet which caused her alarm; 
true, had the water been level with the top of the banks which 
enclosed its bed, it might have added to the danger; as it was, 
she feared that her horse could not leap it, that she would be 
landed in the brook, and there captured. 

But her horse, a blooded animal, entered into the spirit of the 
chase as fully as his rider. Trained as a hunter, he was not used 
to consider as obstacles anything less than a house or a tree. 
He did not, then, regard in the least her efforts to stop him; but 
maddened by the shots and j^ells of the pursuers, dashed on — on 
— to the very brink of the chasm that gapes to receive them — 
on — and with one mad bound the noble animal has cleared it 
and gallops free on the other side. 

. The pursuers had never quite lost sight of her, and at this mo- 
ment they are in full view. One raises his musket. 

" Don't fire," calls a comrade ; " the boy and horse deserve to 
escape — they're both so plucky." 

"D n their pluck," replied the other, as the bullet sped or; 



A71 Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 



285 



its war; "'tain't the right kind; it's the Yankee article, not 
our'n." 

" Yank or Secesh, I'll be darned if I feel like chasing him any 
more." 

" It's a good thing, seein' as none of us has got a horse that'll 
take the gully." 

"Tain'tthat, but " 

" Come on, boys ; here's a bridle path to get down, and one on 
+he other side. Don't lose so much time." 




Ncaruig the Chasm. 

"Thought you wa'n't going to chase him any more?" 

" Have to 3 orders." 

"For my part, I can't see no pluck in runnin' away; seems 
to me there's a little more in fightins!;." 

" One wouldn't be anything against us." 

"That's mighty true; but then, hunting's right good fun; 
that's why I took to the bush." 

As we have seen, the guerillas had lost considerable time in 
finding a way by which they could cross the gully, and their pro- 
posed prey was many hundred yards in advance of them — far 
out of sight. Wishing to rest her horse a little, she allowed him to 
fall into an easier pace than that with which she had started, and 
rode quietly along, seeking for a road by which she might re- 



286 An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 

turn to "Wartrace without clanger of pursuit. Sl\e came to a spot 
where the grass was trampled as with the hoofs of many horses, 
where the dust beneath was, here and there, caked into a strange, 
reddish-brown mass by the action of a liquid, where there were 
small holes in the trunks of the surrounding trees, such as Na- 
ture had not put there. It was an open space in the forest, once 
beautiful, but now, as the ghastly moonlight showed her prac- 
tised eye, a skirmish ground but recently used. Confirming this 
suspicion, a groan met her ear. Hastily dismounting, she went 
towards the spot whence it j)roceeded, and found there a Federal 
soldier, badly wounded. 

"How did you come to be here? Are your comrades near 
by?" she asked, as she tenderly raised his head. 

" Don't know where they are. There was a skirmish here 
this afternoon between our squad and some bushwhackers; but 
I don't remember anything after I was hit. Who are you?" 

"A friend. Can I do anything for you?" 

" I am afraid not j I ought to have my wounds attended to, but 
it would take a surgeon to do me any good." 

" Will you help me ?" 

"Help you? Why, " 

" Listen; have you ever heard of a woman who is scout and 
spy for the Army of the Cumberland ?" 

"Pauline Cushman ? I've heard enough of her to fill ten books. 
Why," said the wounded man, kindling into an enthusiasm that 
made him forget his pain, " that woman is the idol of the army." 

" Will you help me ? I am Pauline Cushman." 

"You? O, I'd die for you." 

" 'No need of that, I'm glad to say. Now, I started out to get 
some information to our army, but have been chased by some 
Rebels, and I must get back to Wartrace before day, or all ni}- 
work will be lost, and I shall be hanged. It will be impossible 
for you to escape, so I want you to ^jretend that I wounded you 
again." 

" I'll do anything in the world for you, ma'am." 

" That is all I can ask of you, Now be sure and stick to your 
story." 

And depositing him gently upon the earth again, she rose to 
her feet, and rapidly fired her revolver three or four times. 

" What's that for ?" asked the soldier in surprise. 

" Some of these shots wounded you," she replied, gravely. 



An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 287 

''Now don't forget the pai't you are to play. Good-bye." 

And springing on her horse, ahe was off like a flash. The shots, 
while carrying out her plan more perfectly, had served her a 
bad turn, for they guided the bushwhackers directly to the spot 
where the skirmish had taken place. 

" Hello, there, who are you ?" asked one, drawing rein beside 
the wounded Federal. 

"I surrender, sir. I was wounded in the skirmish to-day, and 
just now a boy that rode past shot me again. Maybe you heard 
the shots." 

" What did he shoot you for ?" 

"He seemed to think I was one of a party of our men that had 
been chasing him." 

"AintyouaFed?" 

^' Well, I guess so." 

"And he said the Feds were chasing him? I reckon you've 
got things a little mixed, haven't you ? Here get on your horse, 
and come along." 

Slowly and painfully the prisoner was mounting, when two or 
three of the others, who had gone on, came riding back with 
another captive, who was no jDther than Miss Cushman. 

" Here, captain, we've got him." 

" You d d Yankees," muttered the boy, as if in impotent 

scorn. 

" AVhat's that he says ?" 

"He's swearing at his Yankee friends." 

"Friends!" broke in the boy; "I hate you worse'n p'ison ; 
you're no friends of mine, you abolition Yanks, you." 

" Why, who do you think we are ?" 

" Aintyou Feds?" 

" Feds? Well, I reckon not. Did yow think we were ?" 

"'Course I did. That's why I run." 

A hurried consultation was held. 

"Is this the boy that shot you?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"What did you shoot him for?" 

" Why, you see, I thought it was one of you, and I thought I'd 
keep him from following me or telling which way I went." 

"Well, you talk all right, but I reckon you'd better let us es- 
cort you home. You needn't be afraid of us ; we're good Secesh. 
Ask this fellow if we ain't." 



288 An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 

"Burned if I don't believe you're the very man that shot me 
in the fight to-day ; I know I took aim at you," said the Federal. 

"Well, that's all right, all in the way of business. Come, 
boj^s, mount and fall in." 

Away rode the little cavalcade, with their two prisoners ; for 
Miss Cushman, of course, could hardly be considered anything 
else. As she rode on, she revolved many plans of escape, but 
even her busy brain could not hit upon one that appeared feasi- 
ble. Under pretense that her horse was very much exhausted, 
she frequently fell behind the main body, hoping to ride off in 
another direction as soon as they were sufficiently far in advance 
of her. But this plan was frustrated by the vigilance of her cap- 
tors, who would never permit the desired state of affairs to be 
accomplished. 

She soon found, by the conversation carried on among them, 
that they were indeed bushwhackers, men who were unauthor- 
ized to fightfor either side, and who, if captured by either party, 
could expect only a short shrift and a hempen necktie. Just at 
present, it suited them to be on the Confederate side, and thej'' 
had possessed themselves of several articles conspicuously mark- 
ed " C. S. A.;" but when these might be exchanged for others 
marked TJ. S. A.," the advance and success of the Federal army 
must determine. 

As was natural to men in their position, they were very much 
afraid of being captured, or even of being attacked by any but a 
very small number. The woodland road along which they were 
now riding was here and there bordered by thickets which would 
afford excellent opportunity for an ambush, and the guerrillas 
were fully aware of this. As they approached and passed one 
of the suspicious spots. Miss Cushman could see that every pre- 
caution was taken to prevent a surprise from the rear, and 
speedily determined to take advantage of their fears to escape. 

As they drew near one of the densest of these thickets, she 
allowed her horse to fall into a walk; b}' this means, she was 
enabled to lag several j^ardo behind the squad. They had just 
reached the middle of that part of the road that would be most 
exposed to a fire from a party ambushed in the thicket, when, 
drawing her revolver, which she had been enabled to reload be- 
fore her capture, she emptied all the chambers in rapid "succes- 
sion. Her expectations were most beautifully fulfilled. Not 
stopping to see who had fired the shots, but taking it for granted 



An Adventure of Pauline Cushman. 289 

that there was a considerable body of Federals near by, they 
dashed off as rapidly as their horses would carry them. 

We may believe that she lost no time in making use of her op- 
portunity. Striking off through the woods in the direction of 
Wartrace, she reached that place a short time before daylight. 
Having carefully removed all traces of his midnight journey 
from her steed, she next proceeded to divest herself of the sus- 
picious attire; and once more a white spectre ascended to the 
room where slept the owner of the clothes, and carefully de- 
posited them on the chai^ from wjiich they had been taken. The 
owner had not awakened since he first sank into slumber earl}- 
in the nigh. ; and, of course, had not the slightest suspicion of 
the rjllrring scenes through which his wearing apparel had been 
carried. 

There were literally no traces of her adventure remaining, 
for, gifted naturally Avith a peculiarly hardy constitution, she 
had seen too much service as a scout to permit one night's work 
to wear her out ; and when the inmates of the house met at the 
breakfast table that morning, there was not one who found Miss 
Cushman less blooming and brilliant than usual. 

Of course, there was nothing accomplished by her night's ride. 
She had failed to communicate with a Federal scouting party, 
which she desired to use as the means by which to send the in- 
formation she had gathered to headquarters; but of actual ser- 
vice to the Government there was, in her career, no lack. We 
have not the space, however, to follow her as she penetrates the 
secrets of the Confederate generals; as she is suspected, brought 
before them, convicted as a spy, and sentenced to be hanged; 
as they reprieve her out of pity for her condition, when she is 
enfeebled by disease; and finally, as her guards retreat before 
the advance of the Federal army, and she is once more safe, and 
in the hands of her friends. Hers was indeed a history that 
embraced many stirring adventures, and hers was a name well 
known to every man in the Army of the Cumberland. 



A DAEIXG RESCUE. 

A Mysterious Hero — Seeking Danger — Stirring INews — Friends in Peril — Eecon- 
noissance — The Journey — A False Alarm — Outside the Jail — In the Jail — Keys 
of the Cells — A Single-Handed Attack — The Keys Secured — Kelease of the 
Prisoners — Retreat — Pursuit Eluded. 

AMOXGr the many who did good service as scouts and spies 
during the War was a Georgian, known on!}- hy the as- 
sumed name of John Morford j for sectional spirit ran so high 
in those terrible daj's that the relatives of a devoted Unionist 
or Secessionist were often violently persecuted by the neighbors 
who held different views ; and since his home was in a Southern 
State, and his services done to the Federal government, Morford 
assumed the name by which he was generally known. Indeed, 
his own has been well-nigh lost in the stories that are told of him. 
He was attached to the command of Gen. Eosccrans when, in 
the spring of 1863, he went from Murfreesboro to McMinnville, 
and operating from the town as a base, performed several import- 
ant tasks. One of these was the burning of a bridge, over a 
neighboring creek; a piece of business which he managed so 
cleverly that no one suspected him of having a hand in it; and 
which he afterwards discussed with the citizens as coolly as if he 
knew no more about it than he pretended to know. But times 
were dull in Mc^Iinnville after the talk about the bridge-burn- 
ing had died away, and there seemed to be no prospect of any- 
thing similar ; so he bent his steps towards Chattanooga. But 
affairs seemed to be as dull in Chattanooga as in the other towns, 
and he had all but made up his mind to go farther when he found 
that by such a course he might fare worse, as is proverbially the 
case. 

1190 



A Baring Rescue. 291 

By faring worse, he of course meant the failure to meet with 
adventure. Danger, excitement, opportunity for serving the 
cause which he had espoused, these were as the breath of his nos- 
trils ; he felt that he could not live without them. But to Chat- 
tanooga came the news that three Federal scouts were confined 
in the jail at Harrison, Tennessee, and were to be shot on May 
1st. He began at once to plan a rescue, and soon had the train 
laid. 

There were plenty of Union men in town, but not all of them 
could be relied on for dangerous work; had they been more 
courageous, they would have been, like him, engaged in active 
service. One was found, however, to go to Harrison and find 
out various particulars which must be familiarto those whoshould 
undertake the enterprise, such as the name and character of the 
jailer, the number and disposition of the guards, and the general 
arrangements of the jail. But though it was difficult, it was by 
no means impossible to find men possessed of enough courage 
and ability to assist in such an undertaking; and by the time 
that the messenger returned, there were nine ready to follow 
Morford to the rescue of the condemned scouts. 

They left Chattanooga on the night of Tuesday-, April 21, 1863, 
proceeding very cautiously ; for to awaken suspicion in the minds 
of the Confederates would be to thwart their plan entirely. Of 
course, the very fact of such a party journeying from one place 
to another in those days was sufficient to provoke remark, so 
they traveled mainly at night; concealing themselves in caves 
and thickets of the Tennessee mountains during the day. They 
of course knew men in the surrounding country to whom they 
could safely apply for information, and from these they learned 
on Wednesday, that the guard of the jail had been greatly 
strengthened, as the jailer had heard that a rescue was intended. 
This filled them with dismay, for they feared that the reinforce- 
ments would be more than equal to their own party; and, after 
all, the success of their enterprise depended, in a great degree, 
upon taking the guard unawares. 

But the man who furnished this information was known to be 
particularly " scary," as were many non-combatants on both 
sides during the war. Many a country village has been left to 
the women and children at the approach of a force of cavalry 
which turned out to be a drove of cattle; and in one instance 
that we know of, the advance of a load of hay over the prairie 
19 



292 A Daring Rescue. 

produced similar results. Since their informant, then, was hard- 
ly to be relied upon, they resolved to reconnoiter again. Ac- 
cordingly, the same man who had acted as a messenger in the 
first instance, went to Harrison "Wednesday night. Their dis- 
trust of the judgment of their friend was not unjustified ; for the 
scout returned on Thursday morning with the information that 
there was no extra guard ; that there were but two, besides the 
jailer, as before; that there had been no alarm of a rescue, so 
far as he could ascertain ; that the guard did not appear to be 
particularly on the alert, as they would have been if there had 
been any such report. 

But discouraged by the delay, and fearing that the unwelcome 
news might prove true, four of Morford's men had returned 
home, leaving only six, including himself and the messenger, to 
carry out the undertaking. 

Late Thursday afternoon they left their hiding-place and went 
by diiferent paths to the river; loitering about until dark, they 
hastily repaired to the rendezvous appointed, where they found 
the leader, with two boats that he had procured in the neighbor- 
hood. Crossing the river, and concealing the boats until their 
return, they took the road to Harrison. They entered the town 
and approached the jail without diflSculty, there being evidently 
no soldiers in the place. 

'' There are two gates in the board fence around the jail ; S , 

you will keep guard at the one on the east side, and L at 

the southern one. J will be the prisoner that I am to put 

in the jail. The other two must stand in the jail-yard as if they 
were part of the escort." 

Such were the leader's instructions. The sentinels having 
been thus duly assigned to their posts, he, with the other three, 
entered the jail yard and rapped loudly at the door. The dim 
light that was visible inside the building became brighter as a 
window was raised. 

"What do you want?" called the jailer, as he thrust his head 
through this opening. 

"I have a prisoner in charge ; will you receive him ?" 

"Wait a minute, and I'll open the door." 

In a moment he had admitted Morford and J into the entry; 

but something alarmed him, and with the words, "Just wait a 
minute, will you?" vanished outside the door. Morford felt no 
alarm at his absence, for the sentinels had been posted at the gates 



A Daring Rescue. 203 

for the very purpose of preventing the escape of the jail officials 
or any one else who could give the alarm to the Southern men in 
the town ; but when ten miiuUes had passed, be began to wonder 
what kept the jailer so long; he ended by investigating, and 
found that the sentinels, contrary to orders, had permitted the 
fugitive to pass. 

"We'll have to be in a greater hurry, then, "said Morford ; 
''for there's no telling when he may be back with help." 

Returning to the building with his prisoner, he roused the jail- 
er's family. 

" I can't wait for the jailer to come back. I've got to get this 
man out of my hands and get back to camp. Can't you get me 
the keys ?" 

"I would give them to you, sir, if I had them or knew Avhere 
they were," replied one of the women. 

" Where are the guards ?" 

After some hesitation, one of the women designated a room in 
which a guard was sleeping. To this the two men went. 

" Get up ? I've got a prisoner here and want the keys." 

"I'm not the jailer." 

" Get up and get the keys, I tell you. I know you're not the 
jailer." 

" I'll be d d if I get up. Get the keys yourself, the best way 

you can." 

" I have a prisoner here that — " 

" Confound 3'ou and your prisoner ! Let him go, and then you 
won't be bothered with each other." 

" Where are the ke3's ?" 

"Ask the women, if the jailer ain't here. They'll know." 

Nothing more could be gotten out of him, evidently, without a 
resort to force; this they were unwilling to do, as they did not 
wish to betray their real character until the unfortunate scouts 
were safely out of their cells. They accordingly went again to 
the room where they had seen the women. 

"You must let me have the keys, madam. I don't know when 
the jailer will be back, and I must be in camp again as soon as 
possible." 

"I am very sorry, sir, but — " 

" The guard says you have the keys, or know where they are, 
interrupted Morford, in a firm voice j "please get them for me." 

The tone in which the words were spoken made the question 



294 _ A Daring Rescue. 

sound more like a command, and the jailer's wife answered: 

" I can give you the key of the outer room, but have not that 
opening the colls. Here is the key of the outside door." 

Morford took it as she offered it, and unlocked the door she in- 
dicated. He found himself in a long room, or rather corridor, 
along one side of which was a row of cells constructed of wrought 
iron, in such a way as to resemble cages morethan anjHhing else. 
In these he saw the three condemned scouts, one other white 
man, and a negro. Determined not to reveal his true character 
until he had succeeded, he began to abuse these men roundly. 

" D — n your sneaking Yankee tricks; I've a notion to hang you 
now, and not wait for next month." 

" You have no authority," began one of the prisoners, in a 
mildly argumentative tone, as if he would reason with the savage 
Rebel before him. 

" O, to h — with your authority. What does it matter to you 
whether you're hanged with it or without it, so you stretch 
rope ? Get me the keys, I say." 

" I have told you, sir, that we have not the keys, and do not 
know where they are." 

"Get me an ax, then, and be quick about it." 

"There ain't any ax about the place." 

Morford, seeing that they were determined to resist him as far 
as possible, decided that he would have his orders obej^ed, and 
that without delay. Collaring a boj^, a son of the jailer, he drew 
his sabre, and thundered out: 

"If you don't get an ax in two minutes, I'll cut your head off." 

The boy was off like a shot, as soon as Morford let go of his 
collar ; and returned with the ax in less than the time specified. 
But the Federal had hardly begun to cut at the lock when he was 
startled by the command, "halt!" at one gate. Ax in hand, he 
started out, followed by his prisoner. 

" What is it, L—?" 

"I've halted an armed man just outside the gate, sir." 

Walking out to where the new comer stood, Morford asked : 

"Where are you going?" 

" Where is the jailer ? The messenger said you were breaking 
down the jail." 

" What messenger ?" 

"One that just came out." 

"Well, what are you going to do about it, if I am breaking 



296 



A Daring Rescue. 




A Daring Rescue. 297 

dov/n the jail r Suppose I carry off the whole jail, what then ?" 

" I am going to stop it, if I can." 

As he spoke, he raised his gun, but JVEorford was too quick for 
him, and grasped the barrel. 

"Let go of this gun," was the Federal's command, "or I'll give 
orders to my men to shoot you." 

But the stranger vouchsafed no reply in words; every muscle 
was strained to wrench the gun from the other's grasp. Morford, 
without relaxing his hold on the weapon, drew his sabre and 
brought it down with a heavy sweep upon the other's neck. The 
wounded man, drawing back as ho felt the blow, lost his hold of 
the carbine, and Morford began to search him for other arms. 
He recovered himself, however, in a moment, and with desper- 
ate strength tore himself aAvay. Morford followed, firing his 
revolver as he ran. Five shots were heard, but only three took 
effect, the most serious wound being in the fleshy part of his 
arm. He succeeded, however, in reaching the hotel, which was 
kept by his brother, and bursting in the door, sank down ex- 
hausted. 

The hotel-keeper came out as soon as his brother had made 
known the state of affairs, together with several men who were 
in the building; and Morford soon found himself the centre of a 
crowd. 

" If you want to guard the jail you'll have to be mighty quick 
about it," he replied, fiercely, to their muttered threats; "I'm 
going to burn that, and the town in the bargain." 

With white, set face and blazing eyes, he strode forward ; the 
crowd fell back before him, and unmolested, he returned to the 
jail. 

" Cheer, boys, cheer," he cried; then added in a lower tone: 
" Make them think there's a company here." 

The order was manfully obeyed; and the six men made as much 
noise as ten times their number would have made under ordinary 
circumstances. Frightened at the idea of such a large force in their 
midst, the townspeople scattered to their homes ; the streets were 
deserted; lights, which might be guides as to where to shoot, 
were extinguished ; darkness and silence reigned everywhere, 
except in the jail. 

There, everything was in confusion. The character and pur- 
pose of Morford and his party were now unmistakable ; and the 
women and children huddled together in a frightened group us 



298 -^ Daring Rescue. 

the Federal haclred away at the burglar-proof lock on the door 
of the cells; while he and his party felt themselves encouraged 
by the uncontrollable joy and gratitude of those whom they were 
about to release from " durance vile." 

Half an hour passed, and at last the lock gave way; only to 
reveal, however, that the door was a double one, theinner being 
secured by a similar lock, and by three heavy log chains. Blow 
after blow from the brawny arm of Morford was rained upon 
these defenses; and in a few minutes the chains hung idly on the 
doorposts. But the lock still remained. 

"Bring me the key without any more fooling, or I'll murder 
every one of you," he said, sternly, to the women, who were 
cowering near. 

"The key ain't here," called the guard, who was still in bed. 

" GJ-et up out of that bed," was Morford's reply, in such a tone 
that the guard dared not disobey. 

Ashe approached, Morford struck at him with his sabre, more 
forashowof ferocity than for anything else; but the man was too 
far off, and the blade struck one of the children, barely drawing 
blood, so slight was the cut. But it was enough to produce the 
desired effect. The children screamed with terror; the women 
stood with white faces and trembling lips, expecting momen- 
tarily that the Federal would fulfill his threat of murdering 
them all. Seeing that they would no longer dare to withhold 
it if it were indeed in their possession, he again demanded the 
key; which was produced without the slightest attempt at fur- 
ther delay. 

Words cannot describe the scene which ensued when he flung 
open the door, and set the condemned scouts free. And yet it 
was but simple. A grasp of the hand, a few broken words, a 
suspicions brightness of the eye — 

" For hearts must speak, though the lips be dumb" — 
that was all ; and Morford turned to make arrangements for the 
retreat. One of these men was armed with the gun which was 
wrested from the hotel-keeper's brother, and all were provided 
with the clothes and other property which had been taken 
from them when they were captured. Then the whole party 
made the best of their way to the river, and seeking out the boats 
in which they had crossed, were soon on the other side. 

The danger was by no means over. By morning of the follow- 
ing dav, hy noon at the latest, the whole surrounding country 



A Baring -Rescue. 299 

would have heard of the rescue, and all the Southerners would 
be on their track. The boats, then, were carefully concealed in 
a wisely selected place ; they would probably be found, how- 
ever carefully hidden, and they were so placed as to give the pur- 
suers the impression that the pursued had taken an entirely dif- 
ferent path from that really chosen. Bending their steps, then, 
to the mountain fastness which had sheltered them before the at- 
tack upon the jail, Morford and his men lay quietly there while 
the surrounding country was being scoured by the Confederates, 
anxious to capture both the condemned men and their rescuers. 

The chase was finally given up, and the huntsmen returned in 
disgust, supposing the game had reached a safe covert. "When 
they found that this was the case, Morford and his men issued 
from their hiding-place, and journeyed as rapidly across the 
country as human endurance would permit. 

Once, at least, their chance of escape seemed anything but a 
good one. Their presence becoming known to a body of Confed- 
erate cavahy, they were pursued, fired on, and nearly surround- 
ed ; escaping only by scattering, each man to some hiding-place 
well known to himself. The cavalry force encamped for the 
night, and threw out pickets; but made wise by their previous 
experience, the Federals remained in their places of conceal- 
ment until the Confederates, baffled by their mysterious disap- 
pearance, moved on. 

Collecting his scattered men as soon as it was safe to do so, 
Morford proceeded to Murfreesboro, which was reached in safety 
on the very day on which the scouts were to have been shot. 



A PRISONER'S NEWS. 

A Friendly Chat — An Unwilling Listener — Exciting Tidings — His Resolve — Cir- 
cumstances Favoring His Escape— His Departure — Asking Aid — The Guide 
— Progress Under Difficulties — The End of the Journey — What "Was Saved. 

^^ /~^ OOD morning, colonel; fine morning, sir." 

\^^ "Yes, it's the season for fine weather — the middle of 
May. You are out early to enjoy it." 

" Yes, I believe it is only a few minutes after sunrise. There 
seems to be a good deal of stir in the camp this few days p'.st. 
The state of the weather favors militaiy oj^erations, I suppo }." 

"Yes, we are guided to some extent by the state of the we th- 
er, though not so much as our grandfathers were. They "went 
into winter quarters, and we fight all the year round; that's 
the difference." 

"Well, here in Mississippi, there isn't much need of going into 
winter quarters, anyhow. But all these men that are coming 
here look right fresh, considering their steady fighting and scan, 
ty supplies." 

"Yes, they're ready for work, and the best of it is that the 
work is ready for them. There's a nice little expedition iv 
view." 

"Ah! A reinforcement for Vicksburg?" asked the civilian) 
for it was in 1863. 

"No, we'll only help Pemberton indirectly by cutting off" 
Grant's supplies. Our spies and scouts have brought us word 
that a large commissary train is to leave Grand Gulf to-morrow, 
and we intend to attack that. Kill two birds with one stone, 
you know — keep Grant from getting the supplies, and secure 
them for our own use." 

80U 



A Prisoner's News. 301 

*'You must have had the information sometime ago. The 
troops have been coming in for several days past." 

••Oh, this movement is only one of a series. We're concen- 
trating here for the purpose of waylaying all his trains. There 
are ten thousand men here." 

Such was a portion of a conversation which tooli place at Port 
Gibson, on the morning of the 16th of J\Iay, 1863. The speakers 
met on tlie veranda of the hotel, and conversed in ordinary tones, 
not suspecting how eagerly their words were drank in. The}' 
had not noticed that they stood very near a window, only the 
shutters of which were closed, nor did they know that in that 
room lay a wounded Federal officer. Suffering severely, he slept 
but lightly and uneasily; the first murmur of voices outside his 
window had awakened him; he tried in vain to compose him- 
self to sleep again, while the chat went on; but when the Con- 
federate officer (for such he evidently was) began to inform the 
civilian regarding the next day's expedition, he had no wish to 
go to sleep again ; he must not lose a syllable. He raised him- 
self on his uninjured arm and leaned forward, anxious to catch 
every word. There was but the information which we have set 
down, and the talk turned to other subjects, which had no inter- 
est for the wounded man. 

Some two weeks before the date at which our story begins, the 
Confederates had charged upon and captured a train. Much to 
their disgust, the five wagons turned out to be ambulances, filled 
with wounded Federals. The comrades of the wounded prison- 
ers were in great excitement over the capture, and eager to res- 
cue them. A force of three hundred men, under the command 
ofCoL Clark Wright, of the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, was sent 
out for this purpose; the main force of the Federals being at 
Eock Spring, forty miles from the point where the seizure had 
taken place. Starting at dawn on the 6th of May, Col. Wright's 
command reached the Confederate camp at Oakland College, 
near Rodney, the same evening; and drove in the enemy's pick- 
ets. The Confederates retreated; but only, as the Federals soon 
learned, to secure reinforcements and advance again. The Mis- 
sourians accordingly took ten prominent men of the town as 
hostages, and, to avoid being surrounded, fell back to Port Gib- 
son. Their retreat was not unmolested, though the march at 
night through a broken country was not, at best, an easy one, 
and the pursuers were as tired as the pursued. Continual skir- 



302 A Prisoner's Mews, 

mishing was kept up until they reached the town, about 2 A. M. 

During this running fight, Major Kiernan had been severely 
wounded in the shoulder and thrown from his horse. He was 
transported to the town with as much gentleness as circum- 
stances would allow, and left in charge of his orderly and a 
nurse. The next day, however, the Federal force retreated in 
such haste to a hill beyond Bayou Pierre that their wounded 
officer was left to the tender mercies of the enemy. Fortunate- 
ly for him, he fell into good hands. For often, during the War, 
narrow-minded men became suddenly elevated to a power which 
they did not know how to use, and the Government which placed 
them in such positions was held responsible for the abuses com- 
mitted. The captors of Major Kiernan, however, were made of 
other stuff. His orderly and nurse, of course, were not permit- 
ted to remain with him, but the place of the latter was imme- 
diately supplied by an equally efficient pei*Bon. "He was very 
kindly attended by a Confederate surgeon," says a contempo- 
rary Northern newspaper; which, to say the least, was not apt 
to ascribe too much credit to Southern humanity. Twice he 
was offered a parole, but both times he refused. As he was quite 
disabled by his wound, however, there was no very strict guard 
kept upon him; the visits of the surgeon being the only sur- 
veillance to which he was subject. 

But ten days had passed since he was shot, and although he 
was still far from well, the conversation on the veranda had 
quelled the sense of pain, had dulled the perception of danger, 
the remembrance of the distance that would have to be traversed 
— everything but the intense desire to reach the Federal head- 
quarters at Grand Gulf and give notice of the contemplated at- 
tack in time to save the train. He rose and dressed himself as 
well as he could, with his wounded shoulder. Fortunately, the 
nurse, seeing him safely asleep at midnight, had left him for much 
needed rest, and would not return for two hours more, at least; 
so that there was no one to wonder at his sudden activity. The 
early hour was another circumstance in his favor, for but few of 
the guests or employes of the hotel were as yet stirring. He de- 
scended to the ground floor, meeting no one but a negro cham- 
bermaid ; and, save in very rare cases, the Federals could always 
depend upon the fidelity of the colored people. 

Nor was there any one to stop or challenge him as he left llie 
building, and made his way through town. Unacquainted with 



804 



A Prisoner's News. 




A Prisoner's News. '^05 

the country immediately around Port Gribson, what he most 
dreaded was losing his way. Guidance of some kind must be 
secured. He dared not address any white person, or even let 
himself be seen by one; for even if such a person were not a 
strong Secessionist (and it was but one chance in a hundred that 
he would not be), fear of the consequences, or an ignoble desire to 
curry favor, might induce him to secure the suspicious inquirer. 
Day was rapidly advancing, and he must be out of town before 
his absence from his room was discovered ; he must be off the 
public streets before they were thronged with citizens and 
soldiers. 

In this state of affairs, he bethought himself of the source 
whence aid so often came to those in similar situations — the 
colored people. He had not much difficulty in finding a little 
cabin occupied by a family of these friends in need. 

"Hi, dadd}^" he called, to an ancient "uncle," who was 
busily at work in a confused mass of rude and humble household 
goods, with which the front yard was filled. 

"Good-mawnin'j boss," was the respectful answer, as the old 
man dropped his work and advanced towards the soldier, pull- 
ing the lock of gray wool that hung upon his retreating forehead. 

"I'll come in," the officer continued, suiting the action to the 
word ; " I want to see you privately." 

" Lawdy, massa, 'taint a berry nice place fo' you to come in, 
fur we's agwine ter move, an' de tings is all ebery which way." 

"I^ever mind that. Do you know who I am?" 

"I spec's you's a Fed'ral soger, sab ; ain't you now ?" 

" Yes, and I am a prisoner, or at least was," answered the offi- 
cer, determined to throw himself at once on the old man's mercy; 
" will you help me to get away?" 

" Goramity, massa, I'll tote you on my back cl'ar to General 
Grant's headquarters ef you says so." 

The earnestness of the old man's profession was so totally at 
variance with his decrepid old age that the oflicer, anxious and 
suffering, could hardly suppress a smile. 

"No need of that," he answered, in a kindly tone; "but I 
want you to show me a path by which I can get out of town with- 
out being seen by any white people. Can j^ou do it ?" 

"O, yes,sah; dat'sms^. But you wants to go pretty fas' now?'* 

" As fast as I can." 

"Ef it's all de same, dar's my son Jim what's more activerdan 



;-506 



A Prisoner's JVeios. 



I is, sah ; I got de rheumatiz so bad datljisthabto hobble along. 
I'll call him, sah." 

Jim was summoned, and readily undertook the task of guiding 
the prisoner. Major Kiernan had passed the more public part 
of the town before applying for this aid, wishing to expose his 
guide, whoever it might be, to as little danger as possible; for 
it would be dangerous for a colored person to be found guiding 
a Federal prisoner back to freedom. Their route, then, lay by 
and among the 
houses to which a 
considerable 
portion of open 
ground was at- 
tached ; and by 
making their 
way through 
back gardens, far 
from the win- 
dows of the 
houses, and par- 
tially concealed 
by trees and 
shrubbery, they 
could gain the 
outskirts of town 
unobserved. At 
last they were 
fairly into the 
country, and Ma- 
jor Kiernan, af- 
ter learning the ^''^'"^ " ^"^'^'• 
route that he must take to reach Bayou Pierre, dismissed his 
guide with many thanks and a suitable reward. On through 
the brush, then, he pressed, the sun his only compass by which 
to direct his course. 

The stream, sluggish and turbid, like all the manifold branch- 
es of the Mississippi, was reached at last. Swollen by the spring 
rains, it was too deep to wade through, and he was too badly 
disabled to swim across. With some difficulty he loosened a 
half-decayed log, which had become partially imbedded in the 
soft ooze bordering the stream ; and armed with a rude pole, 




A Prisoner's News. 307 

which he found a few yards off, he managed to cross the stream. 

But with the passage of the stream, his difl&culties were by no 
means ended. He found that the camp on the hill to which Col. 
Wright had retired from Port Gibson, had been abandoned. He 
was not unprepared for this; even if Jim had not informed him 
of it, he knew that it could not be held with so large a force of 
the enemy at so short a distance ; but as he toiled painfully on- 
ward, and still there were no signs of his comrades, he felt al- 
most disheartened. Weakened by pain and fever, nothing but 
indomitable will sustained him, as, now through marshy forests, 
now through thick canebrakes, he made his way. Every step 
was hard labor, for often his foot would sink almost to the ankle 
in the soft and slimy ooze; and the effort made to release the 
one would, of course, but sink the other deeper. Mile after mile 
he journeyed, until it seemed so many hundreds. Yet he dared 
not, he could not, he would not give up the the undertaking, so 
difficult of execution. 

He began to look forward to the end of his journey as the 
child, at midsummer, looks forward to Christmas; half with dis- 
belief that it will ever come, half with dread of the long ages 
which must first pass. Wearily, wearily, he dragged himself 
on. The fever which had coursed through his veins was leaving 
him now, and a terrible weakness was succeeding it. Yet he 
must, he would go on. At last his tired eyes caught the glim- 
mer of the sun on something white; far off, indeed, but still a 
hope; though he half fears that his imagination, his very sight, 
is playing tricks upon him. But no; the yrhite spots slowly 
grow larger as he presses on; at last they assume a definite 
shape, familiar to the soldier's eyes; he sees the tents of the 
Federals at Grand Gulf, eight miles from Port Gibson. 

The sight, or rather the certainty that his eyes have not de- 
ceived him, puts new vigor into his limbs, and he hastens for- 
ward as if he were neither wounded nor wearied. But when the 
necessity for exertion ceases, when he is in the presence of the 
Commandant of the post, words fail him in which to tell thatfor 
which he has undergone so much ; he falls, fainting to the 
ground. They revive him, and press on him every attention; 
but although they would sooth him to rest, he must tell his 
story; nor will he be satisfied until informed that all necessary 
precautions shall be taken to save the train from capture. His 
self-devotion was not forgotten, but rewarded in the manner 
20 



308 A- Frisoner's News. 

dearest to the soldier's heart — the praise of his superior officers, 
and a more substantial recognition in the shape of a recommen- 
dation for promotion. 



fiHAPTE^ /7|/, 



A BLOCKADE-RUNNER'S EATE. 

A Volunteer Messenger — The Captain at Last — A Tempting Prize — Yankee 
Shrewdness — Outnumbered, but Tictorious — A Collection of Johnnies — De- 
struction of the Cooper — A Hundred Men to the Eesoue — Only They Didn't 
Get There — The Penalty of Being Good-Looking. 

'^ T TALLO, Pomp, what's the matter with yoii?" 

1 I The speaker was a midghipman on board the United 
States steamer Shockokon, a vessel of the blockading fleet sta- 
tioned off Wilmington, North Carolina; the person addressed was 
an ancient negro who was making every effort to reach the ship 
by means of a small row-boat; the time was an evening in August, 
1863. 

The old man rested a moment on his oars, and lifted his rag- 
ged hat in answer to tliis speech. 

" Oh, I suppose yoii want to come on board," remarked Mr. 
Middy ; " well, seeing it's you, I'll let you." 

Ho watched the old man, as he clambered painfully up the side, 
with a look of intense superiority. Kor was this exj)ression al- 
tered when the newcomer stood respectfully before his Middy- 
ship. 

"Ef you please, sah, is you de captin' ?" 

" Well, no, not exactly -, do you think I look like the cap- 
tain V 

" I dunno, sah ; I ncber sot \ him, sah; but I'd like to see him 
now, ef it's quite conbenyent, sah." 

" I don't know that the old man is on exhibition at this time 

of the day," returned the midshipman, facetiously; "what 

might be your business with him this evening, Pompcius ?" 

309 



310 



A Bhd;ade-Runnef s Fate. 



" Hit mout bo somcfiii' of importance, sah," replied tlio colored 
man, looking as if he felt his communication of great moment. 

" And then again, hit moiitn't," rejoined the youth, mimicking 
the old man's dialect." Come, tell what it is, and I'll tell you if 
it will be necessary to bother the captain about it." 




'^ Leave your address, Ponijy." 

But this condescending offer did not produce the desired result. 
" Hit's somefin the captin 'ud like to know about, and IVejest 
come free miles to tell him of hit." 



A Blockade-Runnef s Fate. 311 

" Kind of you, I'm sure, and I know that the captain will be 
very much obliged to you when I tell him of it; I shall certain- 
ly let him know that j-ou've been here. Leave your address, 
Pomp, and I'll send 3'ou word when to call again." 

The poor old fellow looked quite bewildered by all this bril- 
liant and delicate raillery, and stood twirling his brimless and 
almost crownless hat with an air of painful uncertainty. 

"I — I dunno, sah, but I'd kinder like to see the captin' ; bi^cuz, 
sah, you see, I've got somefin to say to him — somefin 'ut moutbc 
important," he stammered in reply ; his voice becoming steadier 
as he recollected that he could make use of the imposing word 
with which he asserted his right to be heard, even by the captain. 

*' The old darkey is mighty close about this importantbusiness 
of his," thought the middy ; "and I guess I'd better quit chaffing 
him; it would raise no end of a row to send him away, if he 
really should have something of importance to tell." 

Thus reflecting, but dreading the laugh which would most cer- 
tainly be against him if the sable visitor's business should be 
of no more dignity than his appearance argued, he concluded to 
shuffle the responsibility upon another pair of shoulders, and 
with due gravity informed the dusky visitor that the officer 
standing yonder was the captain. 

Nothing doubting the ti-uth of this assertion, the old man ad- 
dressed himself to the otficer in question ; who, by the way, was 
a beardless ensign. 

"Ef you please, sah, dar's somefin I t'ink you'd like to know 
about, sah," began the badgered darkey, humbly. 

"Maybe there is, "returned the ensign, good-naturedly 3 what 
is it that you have to tell me ?" 

"Hit's about a Secesh ship, Mas'r Captain, ut's a layin' to up 
Popsail Inlet; and I t'ought mebbe you'd like to ketch her." 

"I am not the captain," replied the ensign, "and he is the 
one who ought to be told of this. Wait until I come back, and 
I will go and see about it." 

So at last the bearer of intelligence was permitted to behold 
the greatest of all potentates, the commander of a man-of-war 
on the deck of his own vessel. The midshipman's trick, which 
the ensign explained to him in reply to his many expostulations, 
had rather unsettled his confidence in the statements of naval 
officers, however, and it was with much difficulty that he was 
induced to tell his story. Divested of the protestations that he 



312 A Bhchade- Runner' s Fate. 

would tell it only to the captain, it was substantially as follows: 
The Cooper, a Confederate merchantman, which had several 
times eluded the vigilance of the blockading fleet, was lying at 
a certain point pretty clearly indicated by the negro, up Topsail 
Inlet, an arm of the sea a short distance above Wilmington. Her 
crew were on leave, the enormous wages paid to seamen by the 
masters of vessels engaged in this dangerous business being sup- 
plemented by many privileges. The vessel was guarded by a 
force of Confederates, who were engaged in making salt, and a 
short distance from the schooner was a larger force. But, like 
most of his race in those days, their informant could tell them 
nothing definite and reliable about the strength of these two 
forces. There was "a right smart chance" of men at the other 
camp, by which expression he meant the one last mentioned ; but 
there were nothing like as many salt-makers. The negro had 
heard it reported that the Cooper expected to make the run for 
the open sea somewhere about the end of that week. 

Captain was on the alert at once to devise some plan to 

make sure of capturing the saucy schooner. The mouth of the in- 
let was of course too wideto be completely blockaded by hissingle 
vessel, and the others of the fleet had each its appointed station. 
To call them to his assistance might be only to give some other 
Confederate a chance to elude them ; for many such a false alarm 
had been raised with that end in view, and the old negro might 
be only a cunningly instructed deco}^, who had at heart the in- 
terests of his masters rather than those of his liberators. Besides, 
" Tlio fewer men, the greater share of honor." 
The position of the camp of the larger body was such that the 
commander of the Shockokon felt assured that an attacking 
party could flank it without too wide a detour, and made his 
plans accordingly. A sufficient force to overpower any such 
body of men as it would be reasonable to suppose would be en- 
gaged in making salt, was ordered to advance up the inlet; a 
careful reconnoissance having failed to ascertain anything defin- 
ite about the strength of the schooner's immediate guards. But 
the Confederates were not to be thus caught napping; the Feder- 
als had hardly got fairly into the inlet before a battery, cunning- 
ly masked in the thick C3^press woods that clothed the swampy 
ground, opened upon them. The presence of these guns had been 
entirely unsuspected by the Federals, and their force was wholly 
unable to cope with an enemy so protected. They therefore re- 



A Blockade-Runner's Fate. 813 

turned to the Shockokon, and for several days nothing was done 
on either side. 

Of course the Cooper, knowing that she was closely watched by 
at least one vessel of the blockading fleet, made no effort to put 
to sea; and the attitude of the two antagonists was that of sim- 
ple waiting. Bnt this could not last long ; time was too precious 
to be thus wasted, and it was unbecoming in a vessel of the 
blockading fleet to be unable to bring an enemy to terms whose 
location was known. Something must be done, and that at 
once. 

It was decided to resort to strategy. Any attack from the 
southward would be received by the masked battery or some sim- 
ilar defense; but an enemy from the other direction would be 
unexpected, and therefore more likely to succeed. But how was 
this to be accomplished, since they had no reliable guide to pilot 
them through the marshes surrounding the Confederate camp, 
and there was no entrance to the inlet from the north ? 

Yankee ingenuity had solved the puzzling question. Running 
up to a point on the outer coast a few miles north of that on the 
inner one where the Southerners were known to be, the Federal 
made his arrangements for the attack. Two boats were to be sent, 
each manned by six men, under command of an ensign. One of 
these parties was to act merely as a reserve force, in case the 
other should be driven back to the boats ; the other was to sur- 
prise the Confederate camp. 

The coast had been carefully reconnoitered during the day, 
and a landing place selected. As night came on the air grew 
sultrier than ever, and the clouds, which at sunset had been 
banked in the west, had overspread the whole sky. . The night 
was intensely dark. Through the blackness the two boats set off 
from the ship, the oars muffled, lest by some unlucky chance an 
unfriendly ear should hear them and alarm the Confederates; 
and so great was the disparity in numbers that the only hope of 
the Federals lay in the unexpectedness of the attack. 

A later reconnoissance had been so far successful as to give the 
officers of the Shockokon an accurate idea of the strength of 
the enemy — about twenty-five men were at the wharf to which 
the schooner was moored, and a force of one hundred and fifty 
men at the lower camp. To send seven men against nearly two 
hundred seems the rankest foolhardiness ; and indeed, it was an 
interesting q^uestion. what part the men at the lower camp would 



314 A Blockade- Runnef s Fate. 

take in the conflict ; but the commander relied upon the Confed- 
erates becoming demoralized by an attack coming from a direc- 
tion in which they fondly imagined themselves safe; and he 
. knew that the men sent upon this risky errand were not likely 
to fail. 

At the point where they landed, a neck of land not more than 
a mile in width forms the boundary between the waters of the in- 
let and those of the open sea; the narrowness of the barrier be- 
ing the chief reason for the selection of the landing-place. Leav- 
ing one boat drawn up on the beach here they carried the other 
across the neck, and launched it in the inlet. This task being 
accomplished, the reserve force returned to its own boat, to 
await the coming of the others; while the attacking partj'^ rowed 
down the inlet. 

The Confederates, relying upon the patrol which the officer in 
command at the lower camp had promised to maintain, had set 
no guard of their own. But this officer, lulled into fancied se- 
curity in regard to attack from any direction except from the 
south, had not thought it worth while to extend his watchful 
care so far to the north. Unobserved and unhindered, then, the 
little force of Federals silently approached the camp. 

The Confederates, oppressed by the heat, were dispersed 
about the camping-place in considerable disorder. The Federals 
approached the landing-place unheard, and disembarking noise- 
lessly, stole toward the camp. The first intimation the blockade- 
runner's guard had of the presence of an enemy was the stern 
call to surrender. The}^ sprang from their resting-place on the 
earth, bewildered aud wholly uncertain as to the strength of the 
attacking party; 

Meanwhile the Federals had striven to conceal the weakness 
of their force by scattering among the Southerners, so that the 
latter, finding themselves apparently surrounded by a foe of un- 
limited numbers, had no recourse but to yield. Some of them, it 
is true, had prevented such a consummation as far as they indiv- 
idually were concerned, by taking to their heels as soon as the 
state of aifairs was discovered. A few shots were fired, but in 
the darkness it was impossible to take aim, and they buried 
themselves harmlessly in the trunks of the surrounding cypress 
trees. It was but a few moments after their landing that the 
Federals found themselves in possession of the camp. 

The victors argued that the men who had so hastily retreated 



A Blockade- Eunner' s Fair. 315 

were probably privates; that tbe officers in command of the force 
had no doubt remained at their post, and endeavored to defend 
their trust. Ten men had been captured, and now stood in sul- 
len submission j among them, their captors felt assured, were 
the leaders; and while their numerical weakness rendered it un- 
wise to attempt to take all their cajitives with them to the boats, 
they must secure those of most importance. But they wore no 
insignia of their rank ; how were the Federals to distinguish 
between the two grades ? 

Some pine-knots cast a fitful light over the scene, revealing to 
the mortified Confederates how small a body of men had tri- 
umphed over them ; and this illumined the face of one to whom 
the ensign in command now turned. 

" What is your name ?" 

"John Smith," was the prompt answer; which seemed to ex- 
cite some interest among his comi'ades. 

" What is your rank T' again asked the ensign, not deigning 
to notice the little ripple of suppressed merriment, but speaking 
with all the sternness which he could command. 

"Neither general nor drummer boy," replied the soi disant 
Smith. 

The ensign turned from him • evidently this prisoner did not 
mean to reveal his identity. 

"What is your name?" he asked of another. 

"John Smith," returned the second Confederate, as promptly 
as his comrade had replied. 

Even by the uncertain light the Confederates could see the as- 
tonished look which the ensign, in spite of himself, turned upon 
the two men who had been interrogated, and the last speaker re- 
plied to it : 

"Oh, we're all genuine Johnnies, every one of us." 

"Are there any officers present, sir?" inquired the Federal, in 
a tone of stern dignit3^ He saw jilainly that the prisoners were 
in hopes of being rescued by a force from the lower camp, which 
the fugitives must be very near by this time. Every moment 
was precious to him, and of this fact his prisoners were as well 
aware as any one. 

"There are, sir," replied the Secessionist addressed, the same 
who had been first questioned. 

"How many?" demanded the ensign. 

" There are three," was the answer, the speaker looking 



316 



A Blockade-Bunnef s Fate. 



around him to assure himself of the accuracy of his state- 
ment. 

<' Will you point them out 1" was the next question ; to which 
the equally terse reply was returned unhesitatingly : 

" I will not." 

Having no time to lose, the ensign spent no more of the prec- 




")JV; are a/l genuAne Johnnies.'" 

ious moments in interrogating his prisoners, but ordered them 
to stand up in line. As they obeyed, he took a lighted knot in 
his hand and scrutinized each one closely. As a result of his ex- 
amination, he selected three of them, as looking the most like 
officers. These were to be taken to the Shockokon as prisoners 
of war, the remainder being paroled. 

" There is no time to be lost, men," said the ensign to his sub- 
ordinates, as soon as this vexatious question had been thus settled. 



.318 



A Blockade- Runner' s Fate. 




A Blockade-Runner's Fate, 319 

"R will remain in charge of the prisoners who have not 

been paroled ; L and H will go to the wharf, and see 

that the salt works are fired beyond the possibility of saving 

them after our retreat; S and M , you will accompany 

me on board the schooner." 

The men set to work as directed, and a column of smoke soon 
arose from the salt-works. The ensign's party, proceeding to the 
vessel, found that it would be impossible to getthe schooner out, 
and the blockade-runner therefore shared the fate of the works. 
In order to destroy this harbor of the Rebels as completely as pos- 
sible, the wharf was also fired. The guns on board the Cooper 
were spiked, and the carriage-s destroyed. In an incredibly 
short time, the Confederate property at this point was a total 
wreck. 

But these operations had consumed time; the escaping South- 
erners had probably reached the lower camp by this time, and 
given the alarm to the large force there. True, the main object 
of their errand had already been accomplished ; no human pow- 
er could quench those ever-rising flames; and as if heaven itself 
smiled upon their eiforts, and refused to send its rain upoii the 
fire, the clouds had now cleared away, leaving the sky a deep 
clear blue. But though the schooner and other stores of the en- 
emy had been destroyed, the Federals had not yet fulfilled their 
whole plan ; they must return to the ship, with the prisoners 
whom they had taken. 

But though the commandant of the lower camp had been crim- 
inally negligent in his failure to maintain the patrol as he had 
agreed to do, he lost not a moment when the tidings came ofthe 
Federal attack. The flying soldier who came first from the scene 
of disaster, could scarcely tell whether the attacking party had 
come by land or water ; nor were those who had followed him 
much better informed. The salt camp had been surprised — of 
that much they were certain ; but no farther information was to 
be obtained from them. 

Although he could ascertain no details, the mere fact that 
there had been such an assault was sufficiently alarming, and he 
hastily aroused a hundred men to rescue the prisoners, and en- 
deavor to save the schooner and her surroundings. The march 
was a forced one, for to them, as to the Federals, every moment 
was precious. With what chagrin and dismay they beheld the 
huge columns of black smoke, with here and there a shooting 



320 A Blockade-Runner's Fate. 

tongue of flame outlined against the clear sky of the summer 
night, may better be imagined than described. They could not 
save the property of the Government, but it would be a wonder- 
ful consolation to catch the destroying vandals. 

Meanwhile the Federals had worked rapidly, and were safe in 
their boat and upon the waters of the inlet. They were not a 
moment too soon, for, as they rowed away from the land, they 
could hear distinctly the measured tread of a column approach- 
ing from the south. It could only be from the lower camp, the 
anxious Federals and no less anxious Confederates assured them- 
selves ; and the bluecoats bent to their oars with renewed en- 

Meanwhile the column from the lower camp had reached the 
scene of the late bloodless combat. But every boat had been dis- 
troj'ed along with the Cooper. To pursue by land was impossi- 
ble, for the marshy ground to the north of them was too soft to 
bear the weight of any iiumber of men. Besides this, the retreat- 
ing force would of course reach the shore long before they could 
hope to do so, an(J, ^i^ithout a boat, they could do nothing. 

The baffled Confederates therefore gave up the chase, and re- 
turned to the lower camp. The little body of Federals, having 
so narrowly escaped their numerous pursuers, returned as they 
had come, and rejoining their comrades upon the beach, put off 
from the land which had seen such a daring venture. They had 
been completely successful except in one particular, and that a 
minor one. 

When the captain of the Shockokon came to question the three 
Confederates who had not been paroled, they owned to being 
known by other names than John Smith; and his inquiries as to 
their military rank were answered more exactly than the en- 
sign's had been. 

" Are you all privates ?" he asked, in some surprise, as he 
heard the various statements. 

" Yes, sir," returned one of the number, with a meekness nev- 
er surpassed by Moses; "the ensign who commanded the attack- 
ing force was considerate enough to parole all the officers of our 
party." 

And he added, so^to voce, but quite audibly to his comrades: 
"That's what we got for being good-looking." 



;flHAPTEI^ JXJX^. 



CAPTURE AND ESCAPE OE MORGAN. 

The Partisan — The "Marion of the West" — Different Opinions — Reasons for Raid 
— First Triumph — Called Back — Second Start — In Kentucky — Capt. Hines" 
Scout — A AVarm Reception — Marauding — General Scare — Rapid !Marching — 
High Water — Lessening the Force — Surrender of Morgan with Remnant of 
Command — Securing the Prisoners — Ohio Penitentiary — "Old jMan Hevay" — 
The Prisoners Ride the Guard's Hobhy — The Tunnel Begun — A Second Guard 
Taken in by Flattery — Reconnoissance Made Possible— A Prize in the Shape 
of a Spade — Tunneling — Necessity for Haste — A Brother's Davotion — Outside 
the Penitentiary — W^as there Collusion ? — A Traveling Companion — The Es- 
cape — Discovered — Morgan's Death. 

THE partisan is naturally the hero of song and story. So 
much of the romance has been taken out of war, by the con- 
stant improvement in weapons, that it shows, more than ever, 
its more terrible side. When each man marked his antagonist; 
when each individual victory was the result of personal courage 
and skill ; when the result of the battle was made up from these 
individual victories and defeats ; then, there was that about war 
which could inspire the lay of the minstrel and furnish the epic 
poet with a theme beautiful, although in that very beauty there 
were elements of the terrible. But now, when the mark is often 
but a dim grayish line, there is nothing of the wild impulse 
which drives men to fight when opposed by an enemy; it is 
simply obedience to the orders of a general who thinks about as 
much of his privates as the chessplaj-er thinks of the elephant 
from whose tusks his pieces were made. 

But the partisan comes into actual contact with the enemy — 
penetrates to his camp, carries off his messengers, intercepts his 
scouts, and often pays the penalty of his daring by becoming a 
prisoner. Such was Marion during the Eevolution : 
321 



322 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 



"The band was few, but true and tried, 

The leader, frank and bold — 
The British soldier trembled 

When ]Marion's name was told. 
Grave men they were by broad Santee, 

Grave men with hoary hairs, 
Their liearts were all with Marion, 

For IMarion were their prayers. 
And lovely ladies greeted them 

With kindliest welcoming." 

Such is the estimation in which the partisan is held in his own 
country and among his own 
people. The opinion of his ene- 
mies is often different; widely, 
and it may he, in case of cap- 
ture, painfully different; hut 
with that, save for the pur- 
pose of correcting the extrava- 
gant praises and the incred- 
ible achievements related of 
the Eanger, we have but little 
to do. We speak only of the 
admiration which thrilled the 
breast of the colonial New 
Englander in the days of the 
French and Indian War, when 
Putnam's name was mention- 
ed ; of the South Carolinian, in the Revolutionary days, when the 
praises of Marion and Sumter were sounded ; and of the Ken- 
tucky Rebels of the recent War, when Hayne sang: 

" Hath the wily swamp-fox 
Come again to earth ? 
Hath the soul of Sumter 
Owned a second birth?" 

and added, by his song of " The Marion of the West," a new 
lustre to the already famous name of John H. Morgan, 

As we have intimated, the question of this soldier's merits has 
been differently decided by the two parties, friends and foes; 
but as time goes on, and the bitter feelings pass slowly away, 
men of the North are more read}'' to recognize that his was a 
peculiar genius, particularly adapted to the kind of warfare he 
chose. His method was irregular, violating the established 
rules, but still supported by the broader principles on which 




Gen. John H. Mo7-gan. 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 323 

those rules are based. In the condemnation of him by the 
stricter officers, we must take into account the fact that he occa- 
sioned them much trouble. Such was the rapidity and unex- 
pectedness with which he moved that he has been compared, by 
a recent writer, to the Irishman's flea — "I put me hand roight 
on him, and, begorra, he wasn't there I" But after two years of 
learning in that dearest of schools, the Federal cavalry began 
to take in the lesson which the old plainsman stated thus, as ap- 
plied to one case: 

"Whar thar ain't no Injuns, thar you'll find 'em thickest." 

They began to fight Morgan with his own weapons; to look 
for him where he was least likely to be; to guard every point; 
to be continually on the alert; and at last their efforts met witli 
the due reward, so long wished for, so often despaired of, and 
only attained by hard labor, incessant care and much loss of 
life. How that capture was effected, and the efforts the gallant 
Kentuekian made to escape, it shall now be our business to nar- 
rate. 

It was early in the summer of 1863. Gen. Bragg, whose army 
lay around Tullahoma, knew that he could not long hold that po- 
sition, and would soon be compelled to retreat before the advan- 
cing forces of Gen. Eosecrans ; while Gen. Buckner, who com- 
manded a small body of men in the eastern part of Tennessee, 
would be driven southward as soon as Gen. Burnside should 
march upon him. But this was not all. The retreat must be 
attempted, but there was but little hope that it could be accom- 
plished with a reasonable degree of safety; on the contrary, 
there was much danger that the army would be cut to pieces. 

Of all the officers engaged in the War, in either army, there 
was, perhaps, none who excelled Gen. Bragg in the skill and 
judgment with which he used his cavalry. On this occasion, he 
saw that a vigorous demonstration in Kentucky made by this 
arm of the service would engage the attention of the Federal 
generals sufficiently for him to retreat unobserved. Accordingly, 
Gen. Morgan's command, long regarded as invincible, was or- 
dered out for the purpose. The leader, bolder even than the 
general commanding, desired to make the raid yet more extend- 
ed, and crossing the Ohio, penetrate into the very heart of In- 
diana and Ohio. This, he urged, would create so much terror in 
the states thus invaded that all the troops in that section of the 
country would be sent after him; and even if he and his men 
21 



324 Capture and Escape of Morgan. 

should be captured, the benefits to the South would far outweigh 
the losses. 

But while Bragg fully appreciated the generous courage which 
prompted the offer, his prudence would not permit him to accept 
the proposition. He gave Morgan carte blanche to go wherever 
he would, south of the Ohio, but peremptorily refused all per- 
mission to cross it. But though the orders were plainly stated, 
the subordinate resolved to commit that offense, unpardonable in 
a soldier — disobedience to asuperior. To his second in command, 
IVfaj. (afterward Gen.) Basil Duke, he expressed his determina- 
tion to cross the Ohio, and make the horrors of the War felt in 
the North as they had been felt in his native state. 

The plan, indeed, was one that he had long nourished; and 
fully three weeks before the time of which we speak, he had 
ordered intelligent and reliable men to examine the fords of the 
upper Ohio. Nor was he alone in his desire to penetrate into 
the enemj^'s country, to "carry the War into Africa;" for at 
this very time, the officer who stood deservedly at the head of 
the Confederate Army was advancing into Pennsylvania toward 
Gettysburg. 

It was the 11th of June when the division, consisting of a little i 
less than two thousand five hundred men, set out from Alexan- 
dria, and marching to the Cumberland crossed it not far from 
Rome. The main body encamped near the pike, while a detach- 
ment was sent some two or three miles forward to intercept a mail 
train. In that disturbed section, it was necessary to protect the 
mail carriers, and in this case, a guard of eighty or ninety men 
had been detailed to insure the safety both of the messengers 
and of the several sutlers' wagons which accompanied it. Many 
times had such a train passed on its way unmolested, and on this 
occasion no danger was anticipated. Had it been, a braver guard 
would probably have been chosen ; for this turned and fled in 
the wildest confusion as soon as the Confederates fired ; not a 
shot being returned. 

Such was the first triumph of Morgan's invincible command 
(for so it was considered) on this its great exploit. It seemed to 
strike terror into the hearts of those who would have stopped 
his progress, for no opposition of any account was met with until 
the 2d of July. In the meantime, the necessity of intercepting a 
Federal raiding partj^ which had made its way into East Tenn- 
essee and was threatening Knoxville, had obliged Gen. Morgan 

\ 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 825 

to I'ecross the Cumberland, and retrace his steps for some dis- 
tance. But, retarded by a local rain which rendered the roads 
impassable for their four pieces of artillery, the Confederates did 
not arrive in time for any real work. On this 2d of July, then, 
during the great battle of Gettysburg, which was to drive Gen. 
Lee from Pennsylvania back to Virginia, Morgan's division again 
recrossed the Cumberland, this time, at two unimportant points, 
a few miles from the southern boundary of Kentucky. 

The river was unusually high, owing to those very rains which 
had so lately retarded their progress; and Gen. Judah, in com- 
mand of the Federal forces in the vicinit}^, supposed it impassa- 
ble. It was, indeed, a dangerous thing to attempt; the stream 
had risen high above its ordinary level, and foamed and fretted 
and rushed along like a mountain torrent. ISTor had they boats 
fit for their purpose ; two or three small canoes, and two rickety 
flat boats on which, in ordinary circumstances, no one of them 
would have trusted a dog for which he cared, were the only 
means of crossing which had escaped the vigilance of the Fed- 
erals. But necessity knows no law, and having come thus far, 
they were not the men to give up the task they had undertaken. 
While they crossed the raging stream in these crazy crafts, the 
enemy, secure in the notion that the river was utterly impassa- 
ble, had not even posted videttes to give information as to the 
movements of the Confederates. 

Yain security ! Delusive hopes ! Judah had hardly become 
aware that Morgan had accomplished what he had thought im- 
possible, before a portion of the gray-coated cavalry had charged 
upon a body of his command and driven it back to the main en- 
campment on Marrowbone Creek. But it would require too 
much space to detail their Kentucky fights; a bare mention 
must suflfice. Columbia was taken on the third, while Col. 
Moore, who had thrown up fortifications at the bridge where 
the road from Columbia to Lebanon crosses Green Eiver, found 
the national anniversary an unfortunate day on which to oppose 
Morgan. Elsewhere will be found a hint of the way in which 
the Confederate leader discovered that Louisville would be an 
unhealthy place to visit ; so after three Federal regiments had 
been encountered and defeated some five miles from Lebanon, 
on the fifth, and Bardstown had surrendered on the following 
day, the division marched in a direction northwest-by-west, to 
the Ohio Eiver; striking that mighty stream at a point some 



B20 Capture and Escape of Morgan. 

thirty miles southwest of Louisville, measured in a bee line. 

All this time, of course, the Federals were not idle; but Hob- 
son's command was following Morgan as closely as the greatraid- 
er's speed and unexpectedness of movement would permit. But 
the blue-coats were full fifty miles behind when the boys in gray 
reached Garnettsville. It has been said that Morgan crossed the 
Ohio to escape from this officer, who was in command of all the 
cavalry of Judah's division ; but a sane man would rather "bear 
the ills he has than fly to others that he knows not of;" to leap 
from the frying-pan into the fire is the act of a very foolish fish 
indeed ; and the absurdity of this theory is the best answer to it. 

Captain Thomas H. Hines had, some two months before, been 
given permission to scout " north of the Cumberland " with some 
eighty men. The orders fixed no time at which he must return 
to his command, and tempted by the latitude which the vagueness 
of stating time and place afforded him, he made rather an exten- 
sive scout. There is rather a large extent of country lying 
" north of the Cumberland," and the loyal state of Indiana is in- 
cluded in it. When, therefore, Capt. Hines had crossed the Ohio 
and raided the southern portion of this state, he had not dis- 
obeyed the letter of his orders j and the letter pleased him better 
than the spirit. But, as we shall see, his presence there prepared 
an unexpected difficulty for the main command. 

Morgan reached Brandenburg on the eighth, having previous- 
ly sent scouts forward in advance of the main column to procure 
means of crossing the river. These had succeeded in capturing 
two steamboats, and as soon as the command came up, the work 
of embarkation began. But the raid of Capt. Hines had greatly 
alarmed the Indianians; the militia had been called out, and two 
gunboats had been sent down the river. Capt. Hines' little force 
had been scattered by the combined efforts of the army and 
navy, as thus represented ; some were captured, while a few, in- 
cluding the gallant leader, of whom we shall hear again, escaped 
across the river to the main command. 

As soon as the Confederates were perceived upon the southern 
bank of the river, the gunboats opened fire upon them ; but the 
high bluffs which there overhang the river on the Kentucky 
shore afforded an excellent position for Morgan's artillery; and 
the grim, black crafts were soon driven off. By midnight of the 
eighth, the entire command had crossed the river; the militia 
retreating rapidly before them. A popular song of the day, 



328 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 




Capture and Escape of Morgan. 329 

among the TJiiion people, was a parody on the finest lyric of the 
War, and began thus : 

" John Morgan's foot is on thy shore, 
Kentucky, O Kentucky ; 
His hand is on thy stable-door, 
Kentucky-, O Kentucky." 

It simj)ly reflected, as most such songs do, the popular idea 
regarding its hero ; he was a robber, an incendiary, come to 
steal and ruin, not to fight. There is, of course, much truth in 
the plea put forth by Gen. Duke, that the nature of the service 
attracted to the command many men who came merely for the 
sake of plunder, and who could not be deterred, by any effort of 
their oflScers, from securing it. There is another point to be 
considered: As destruction of property which may afford as- 
sistance of any kind to the enemy is a legitimate object of war; 
harrying this portion of the country was no more guerilla war- 
fare than were the Federal raids in the Southern States. So 
much allowance must be made; but Avhen it is made, even the 
historian, who was Morgan's lieutenant and successor.in com- 
mand, admits that much mischief was done for which no neces- 
sity existed. For instance, a bird-cage and its tenants are hard- 
ly to be missed by the enemy or valuable to the captor; and a 
man who, in July, carries off half-a-dozen pairs of skates, can 
scarcely be said to be driven thereto by stern necessity. Yet 
both were taken. 

Over the wires, before they had fairly landed, flashed the 
ominous words : " Morgan is in Indiana." The message struck 
terror to the hearts of ail who heard it, and the wildest confu- 
sion prevailed through the entire state. In case of a flood, 
each man stays in his house until the last moment, feeling as- 
sured that the river will certainly fall before it can injure him 
or his property; but in case of an invasion, such as this, no one 
waits for the invader to be driven back; every one flies be- 
fore him. Even the militia were no exceptions to the general 
rule, and the militiaman's courage is proverbially equal to the 
truthfulness of an amateur fisherman. 

Everywhere people fled from their homes, taking with them 
all valuables that could be carried off. The press denounced the 
military authorities for having permitted Morgan to cross the 
river — let the war be carried on any place but here; while the 
military authorities excused themselves by stating that the in- 



330 Capture and Escape of Morgan 

vaders far outnumbered any Union forces which could be 
brought into the field at such short notice. Although this was 
so far from being true that Morgan's men numbered less than 
one-fourth of the militia sent against him by Indiana alone, he 
endeavored to confirm them in their own statements by making 
his force appear much larger than it really was. 

The Confederates advanced rapidly towards the eastern 
boundary of the state, and by one o'clock on the afternoon of 
the 13th, they had entered Ohio, and reached Hamilton. Up to 
this time, every man within two hundred miles of the line of 
march had anxiously watched the course of the column; fearing 
that some rapid movement, totally unexpected, might bring it 
full upon his own town. But now, this feeling of uncertainty 
was, to a great extent, ended. Some breathed more freely, as 
they felt that some degree of safety was assured them, for a 
while at least; and the people of the doomed city gave them- 
selves up to blank despair. There was absolutely no hope for 
it. Cincinnati was, beyond a doubt, his objective point, and the 
Queen C?ity would be laid waste. 

Such was the rapidity with which he moved, and the difficul- 
ty with which information was obtained in a country so bitterly 
hostile, that Morgan could not ascertain how large a force was 
stationed at Cincinnati, and he therefore dared not attack it. 
Besides, there was no reason why he should do so; the capture 
of it could do him no good ; it would simply be an elephant on 
his hands, and he was not in the menagerie business. Having de- 
termined, then, to pass the city without molesting it, it became 
necessary for him to use the utmost speed in order to escape at- 
tack himself. At four o'clock on the afternoon of the 14th, they 
reached Williamsburg, twenty-eight miles east of Cincinnati, 
having accomplished nearly one hundred miles in thirty-five 
hours. 

The men had been worn out when they passed Cincinnati, many 
of them being fast asleep in their saddles, and it was an impera- 
tive necessity that they should halt here for a night's rest. By 
daylight they were again in the saddle, moving forward over the 
terrified state. Every effort was made to retard their advance; 
the populous state poured forth thousands of men to defend her 
own soil; every road swarmed with militia, who were driven 
back only with difficulty after they had placed almost impass- 
able barriers in the path of the invader. Every day the resist- 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 331 

ance became more determined ; every day the numbers of the 
state troops increased, while those of the Confederates dimin- 
ished; and at last, almost worn outby llie long and rapid march, 
but still exultant as they thought ol: the end they had accom- 
plished, Morgan and his men were ready to recross the Ohio, 
and return via Kentucky, to the bounds of the Confederacy. 

It was 8 o'clock on the evening of July 18th, that BufRngton 
was reached. This was one of the points at which the fording 
had been examined some time in the previous May; and those 
who had performed that work had reported that the river would 
be easily forded at this point when the water was at the stage 
usual in July. Their judgment was based on a knowledge of 
the river for twenty years, during which time it had invariably 
been low during the summer months. But now, by a strange 
piece of bad luck, the river had risen; swollen by the summer 
rains, it was too deep to be forded ; they had no other means of 
reaching the Kentucky side; and the presence of numberless 
gunboats warned them that an attempt to cross on rafts or in 
open boats of any kind would be worse than useless. 

As they waited atBuffingtonfor an opportunity to cross, their 
situation hourly became more desperate. The enemy was clos- 
ing around them ; the command was being scattered ; they were 
bushwhacked and harassed on every side. Gen. Duke, with a 
considerable force of which he was in command, was captured on 
the 19th. Col. Johnson, with three hundred men, was more for- 
tunate, since they escaped by swimming the river and making 
their way through West Virginia. By these and the losses pre- 
viously suflPered, the force remaining to the commandinggeneral 
was now less than two hundred and fifty men. Capture was in- 
evitable, and yet he hardly dared to surrender, for he feared that 
he would never be exchanged. Ecsolved to fight to the last, he 
led his handful of men towards Salemsville; now advancing, now 
retreating, constantly skirmishing with forces far outnum.bering 
his own. 

The news of Gettysburg had already reached the Confederates, 
who were thus fighting for their very lives. It was this tidings 
that led Morgan to fear to surrender; for the number of prison- 
ers in the hands of the Federals was so much increased that he 
suspected the cartel would be broken. He desired, then, to make 
special terms before giving himself up, and actually did so, Capt. 
Burbeck, a militia ofiicer, receiving his surrender. Buttheterms 



332 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 



were repudiated by Gen. Shackleford, who was in command of 
the Federal forces in the vicinity of Salemsville, and the prison- 
er was treated as if he had made an unconditional surrender of 
himself and troops. 

The authorities at Cincinnati had already been severely repri- 
manded by Secretary-of-War Stanton because Gen. Duke and the 
officers captured with him had been sent to Johnson's Island, a 
purely military prison, instead of being confined in the Ohio 
penitentiary. Gen. Morgan's protests, therefore, against being 

subjected to 
the indignity 
of an incar- 
ceration in 
the police 
station, were 
useless; the 
head of the 
Department 
must be rig- 
idly obeyed. 
Gen. Eose- 
crans having 
intimated to 
Gov. Tod, of 
Harassed Raidei's. Ohio, that 

there was no military prison sufficiently secure for the daring 
men that had been captured, the civil official proffered the use 
of the penitentiary at Columbus, until other provision could be 
made. To this building, then, the Confederate officers were con- 
veyed ; the warden being directed to keep them separate from 
the convicts, to provide them with necessities of food and cloth- 
ing, and to impose only such restrictions on them as might be 
necessary for the sake of security. But it is not our purpose to 
trace the daily round of their prison life, nor to explain their 
treatment farther than is absolutely necessary for a jjroper un- 
derstanding of their ensuing effort to escape. 

The prisoners, sixty-eight in number after the consolidation 
of all parties, were confined in the first and second ranges of 
cells in the south side of the east wing ; the north side, and the 
higher ranges of the south, being unoccuj^ied. During the day 
they were allowed the liberty of the narrow passage upon which 




Capture and Escape of Morgan. 3^3 

their cells opened ; but they were required to be in their cells 
by 7 o'clock every night, when every door was locked, after the 
warden or his deputy had looked in the apartmentto see that its 
proper occupant was there. 

With such precautions, it appeared almost impossible for them 
to escape from a slighter building. But even admitting that they 
might be able to deceive the warden and his deputies, how could 
they, without tools of any kind, hope to tunnel the stone pave- 
ment and the immense walls of the penitentiary ? It seemed, in- 
deed, a hopeless case to most of them ^ but one, the same Capt. 
Hines who had raided ''north of the Cumberland,'' and who has 
since worn the ermine as the chief-justice of Kentucky, had 
heard something of a peculiarity in construction which might 
render it possible for them to tunnel. 

The chief warden, Merion, was a narrow-minded, tyrannical 
man, generally disliked by the military prisoners as well as by 
the convicts ; but among his deputies was one familiarly known 
as " old man Hevay,'" whose many kindnesses and general good- 
nature stood out in strong contrast to the petty meannesses of his 
chief. To him Capt. Hines addressed himself, hoping to set the 
old man on his favorite hobby, and thus find out what he wanted 
to know. 

"Good-day, Hevay; pretty wet weather outside, isn't it?'' 

"0, it's very wet weather we're having this fall. Captain, 
You folks in here don't know how much rain we've been 
having." 

"That's a fact, we're in out of the wet, sure enough. Indeed, 
we don't suffer from it in any way. The cells are not even 
damp." 

"No sir, they're right dry, they are right dry, sir, every one." 

" Yes, I've noticed that there isn't even any dampness on the 
floors of the cells in the first range. That's rather remarkable, 
isn't it ?" 

"Well, I don't know as it's so remarkable; it's a well built 
edifice, sir. I tell you, sir, this Ohio penitentiary is the best 
building in the country, sir. The CapHol at Washington don't 
begin to come up to it; and Westminster Abbey, that the Brit- 
ishers make such a darned fuss about, don't begin to come up 
to it. Do you know why the cells in the first range are so dry?" 

" Is it because they have such a thick, cemented floor ?" 

"Well, the floor is pretty thick — eighteen inches of concrete, 



334 Capture and Escape of Morgan. 

but the dampness will work through the thickest floor in the 
world. if it's laid flat on the ground. There's an air-chamber 
four feet high under the whole wing. That's what keeps it so dry, 
sir." 

This was a confirmation of the wildest hopes that the soldier 
had dared to entertain ; but he answered, with a careless laugh : 

"No wonder we don't get wet, then. But I reckon we'd all 
rather sleep on damp ground as soldiers than be kept so dry as 
prisoners." 

"So I suppose, sir, so I suppose," assented the old man, 
nodding good-naturedly as he went on his way to attend to his 
duties. 

Having ascertained this much in regard to the structure of the 
building, the next difficulty was to obtain tools with which to 
perforate the eighteen-inch concrete floor to the air-chamber. 
Their cells were inspected every day, and it would be impossi- 
ble to tunnel directly from them without being discovered; but 
they could work by relays in the air-chamber, and manage so 
carefully that no one man would be absent from the corridor for 
any suspicious length of time. The problem of tools, was solved 
by the abstraction of two knives from the dinner table ; more 
they dared not take, for fear that the loss would be detected. 
The blades, though but small, were keen; and were cut off 
square at the end, instead of being rounded or pointed, as are 
most table-knives. The shape was intended to make them less 
useful than a pointed instrument would be, in case any should 
be secreted by prisoners intent upon escape ; but they could not 
have been better adapted to the purpose, being, to all intents, 
excellent chisels. 

Work was begun in Capt. Hines' cell, under the iron bedstead, 
which could be hung against the wall or let down at pleasure. 
The substances removed were put in the stove or concealed in 
their beds, and it was not long before there was a hole in the 
solid floor large enough to admit a man's body into the aii-- 
chamber. A carpet-bag, carelossl}' thrown down in the corner 
of the room, hid the aperture during the day. A single kick at 
the valise might have blasted all their hopes, and sent all in the 
first range to the dungeons. 

They could make but slow progress until the air-chamber was 
reached, for though speed was desirable, it was necessary to 
keep the guards in their present state of security. But when it 



I 



Al 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 335 

was once possible for the workmen to be out of sight, the work 
progressed more rapidly. To prevent all suspicion, each labored 
for only an hour at a time ; pickets were posted, and an ingeni- 
ous system of signals arranged, so that any one who happened 
to be below might be speedily recalled to the upper air in case 
of being asked for by the officials of the prison. 

Among so many, one or two men were hardly likely to be 
missed if absent only for an hour — they might be in their cells, 
or unobserved in one part of the corridor or exercise ground 
while the warden was in another; but once the absence of one 
came very near being detected. 

"Where's Capt. Hockersmith ?" inquired one of the turnkeys, 
called Scott, or, familiarly, Scotty. 

" He's not at all well, this morning, and is lying down. Are 
you in a hurry, Scotty ? Because if you are not, I'd like to ask 
your opinion about this memorial." 

It was Gen. Morgan himself who spoke, and his tone was so 
natural in its ease and unconoern that Scotty was completely 
taken in. 

"O, certainly not, G-eneral, certainly not. No hurry at all, 
sir. What is the memorial, sir?" he asked, very much flatter- 
ed at the idea of being thus consulted. 

" Its one that I've drawn up to send to Washington, regarding 
our removal to a military prison. Here it is; will you be good 
enough to look it over?" 

The poor deluded Scotty took the paper and looked at it for 
a few moments as wisely as an owl looks at the great book ^f 
nature; and gained, perhaps, aboutthe same quantity of inform- 
ation. In the meantime, Hockersmith, who, as the reader has al- 
ready guessed, was at work in the air-chamber, had been sum- 
moned to the upper regions by the appointed signal, and now 
made his appearance; and a very sorry and sickly appearance 
it was, for he had been warned of the part he was to play. 
Scotty gave back the jiaper, with the sage remark that he thought 
it would do, and turned to the sick (?) man without a suspicion 
of the reason why Gen. Morgan had asked his opinion of the 
memorial. 

But Scotty was destined to render them a real, tangible ser- 
vice, rather than to discover the plan of escape. They were 
wholly ignorant of the lay of the land immediately around the 
walls of the penitentiary, and it was absolutely necessary that 



336 Capture and Escape of Morgan. 

they should reconnoiter. To do this at second-hand was impos- 
sible, for not only would such questions excite suspicion, but 
they could not obtain sufficiently minute information in that 
way. Plans were cleverly laid, and Scotty, who was in charge 
during the day, was engaged in conversation on a subject ot 
which he never tired ; being nothing else than the remarkable 
escape of two convicts some years before. 

"Yes, sir," he said to Gen. Morgan, "they climbed up the 
railings of the balconies in front of the cells there, and got out 
on the roof through the skylight. There ain't two other men 
in the world that could do it, either, sir." 

" O, come, Scotty, you think too highly of the escaped convicts. 
That wouldn't be so hard a task for an active man. Why, Capt. 
Sam. Taylor, as little as he is, could do it. The trouble in escap- 
ing, I should think, was after they got on the roof. At least, I 
shouldn't like to try it." 

"Well, if Captain Taylor thinks he can climb up to that sky- 
light and git on to the roof, he kin jest try it, that's all. I'd like 
to see it, for my jDart." 

" Are you in earnest, Scotty?" asked Capt. Taylor, who was 
of course, near by; " may I try it?" 

*' Yes, try it," answered the turnkey, doggedl}'; "but you'll 
not git on to the roof. Y^'ou'U find it ain't so easy as it looks." 

Captain Taylor was a short, slight man, but very strong and 
active. No sooner had the desired permission been obtained 
than he proceeded to make use of it; and despite Scotty's assur- 
ances of failure, was soon airing himself at the top of the building. 
A^jparently looking about him only as a man who had been in 
close confinement for months would naturally do, he really ob- 
tained a very correct idea of the prison surroundings. Of course 
not many minutes could be spent thus, and he soon descended; 
but he had accomplished all that was desired. 

The work went rapidly on; two or three of the immense stones 
which formed the wall of the air-chamber were removed, and the 
tunneling through the earth began. " Fortune favors the brave," 
and just at the juncture when it was most needed, a rusty spade 
came into their possession. The manner of obtaining it was so 
characteristic of the whole attempt that we cannot omit the 
story. It was early in the morning, and they had passed out 
Into the yard for the usual ablutions. Two long troughs, filled 
with water, were placed along the walls of the court-yard, and 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 337 

the men washed at these, first one relay, and then another. 
While waiting to wash, there was always a good deal of rough 
play, and this morning they were especially sportive — only by 
accident, of course. It was equally a matter of chance that one 
of them wore a loose sack-coat, though the fact that the spade 
was there was discovered before he donned the unusual gar- 
ment. 

Strangely enough, in a friendly wrestling match, the wearer 
of this coat was thrown by his opponent. He happened to fall 
just upon the spade, but when he picked himself up and emerged 
from the little group of five or six men that closed around him, 
the spade was no longer to be seen. Somehow or other, the 
wearer of the sack-coat sat unusually straight and stiff at break- 
fast that morning ; and he didn't have a ramrod down his back, 
either. 

At any rate, the spade was obtained, and the work progressed 
more rapidly. G-en. Duke, in his "History of Morgan's Caval- 
ry," does not indicate any collusion whatever on the part of the 
prison officials ; but a more recent writer, who speaks as one 
having authority, asserted boldly that their escape, without any 
assistance from others, was utterly impossible. The manner in 
which they obtained possession of the very tool most needed 
would seem to point to some aid received from those in charge. 

Eemoving the stones from the wall, they tunneled out into 
the yard, but met with their first misfortune, coming up directly 
under an immense pile of coal. This necessitated a tunnel in 
another direction, and of greater length; so they set to work 
manfully, and, in a little more than two weeks after the day 
that they began on the floor of Capt. Hines' cell, the tunnel was 
as nearly complete as they dared to make it before the very 
night on which it was to be used. The minor preparations, too, 
had gone on bravely. A stout hook had been made from a 
poker; in some mysterious way, probably by help of others, 
they had obtained possession of other knives than the two with 
which they had dug through the floor; strong ropes had been 
plaited from bed-quilts torn into strips. Finally, since the es- 
cape must be made at night, when they were locked into sepa- 
rate cells, apertures were made in the ceiling of the air-chamber 
extending so near the upper surface of the concrete that a very 
slight blow would be sufficient to make a hole like that already 
made in the floor of Capt. Hines' cell. Through these, each man 



338 Capture and Escape of Morgan. 

was to drop to the air-chamber beneath, where the party would 
unite. 

There were, as we have said, sixty-eight officers confined at that 
time in the penitentiary; but of these, of course, not all could 
attempt the escape for which all had worked. Setting aside all 
other difficulties which would have attended the getting away of 
a large party, there were only about half lodged in the cells in the 
first range, from which alone the air-chamber could be reached. 
It is touching in the extreme to read how all worked, when they 
knew that but few could go ; and that, in all probability, those 
who remained behind would pay dearly for the liberty of their 
comrades. Seven men were to make the eifort; the command- 
ing officer, and Captains Hines, Taylor, Hockersmith, Sheldon, 
Bennett and McGree. That Gen. Morgan should be one of them 
was a matter of course, but why these particular officers should 
be selected to accompany him, when men of far higher rank in 
the army remained behind, is not so easily explained, nor do 
the many writers on the subject attempt to give a reason. 

The work was completed, and the seven men were only wait- 
ing for a favorable opportunity. They must choose a rainy 
night, for in such weather the dogs in the prison yard would 
probably keep fast in their kennels, while the guards would be 
less watchful. The watched-for rain came at last, and not an 
hour too soon, for they had heard rumors that there was to be a 
change of military commanders at Columbus. "A new broom 
sweeps clean," and the new commandant might discover their 
tunnel. It was on the 27th of JSTovember, 1868, when they de- 
cided that it was best to wait no longer. 

Gen. Morgan's cell was in the second range, but his brother, 
Col. Richard Morgan, was lodged in the lower tier, and it had 
long since been arranged that each was to personate the other 
on this night. There was a sufficient resemblance between them 
to enable them to deceive any one who did not look too closely. 
The guard made his round as usual at 7 o'clock, flashing the 
light which lie carried into each cell, to make sure that it was 
occupied, then, locking the door, passed on to the next. At last 
this duty was performed ; the first part of their plan had suc- 
ceeded; he had not detected that Gen. and Col. Morgan had ex- 
changed cells. Every two hours he made the rounds, for these 
were important prisoners, and caution was very necessar}'. 

To prevent surprise, the floor of the hall had been carefully 



ii 



Capture and Escape of 3Tor^ m- 339 

strewn with small bits of coal ; for one of thtv prison officials was 
fond of stealing upon them unawares, his tread being made noise- 
less by means of his list slippers. For the tfvird time that night 
they heard the footsteps of the guard, crun^jhing the coal, die 
away, as he completed the round of the cells und returned to his 
post. Then, Capt. Ta3^1or, dropping down in oo the air-chamber, 
gave the appointed signal — a tap beneath the floor of each of the 
six cells. In an instant, the thin crust of coi/crete was broken, 
and the rest of the party joined him; each one having left a 
dummy in his bed, to deceive the guard as he passed in his rounds. 

Once outside the walls of the building in which they had been 
confined, there was still another difficulty to ^urmount; for the 
prison-3'ard was surrounded by a wall twentj^-five feet high. 
But they were not unprovided with means for getting over this. 
The iron hook, before mentioned, was fixed in the coping which 
crowned the wall, the rope made of the bed-quilts having been 
first attached to one end. They drew themselves up by this 
means, and descended by the same rope on the outside of the 
walls. But all their efforts to dislodge the hook proved un- 
availing, and they were forced to leave that and the rope at- 
tached to the wall. 

Whether, with several large, fierce dogs, specially trained for 
the purpose of catching prisoners who were attempting to es- 
cape, ranging the prison yard, and with two sentinels, fully 
armed, who could not be more than a hundred feet away from 
them, the obscurity of a stormy night would be sufficient to hide 
their efforts, is a question for the reader to decide. Grave doubts 
have been thrown upon the many men who had it in their power 
to assist the prisoners ; but on the other hand, Gen. Duke asserts 
that ^15, which Gen. Morgan paid for a railway time-table, was 
the only money used in effecting their escape. But this very 
assertion (on which, be it understood, we wish to cast no susjDi- 
cion) shows that some help must have been given; that some 
one within the prison walls, besides the Confederates there con- 
fined, knew of the contemplated attempt to escape. Who pro- 
cured the time-table? It was not forwarded by stealth by an 
outside friend, or it would have cost them nothing. If it was 
furnished by any of the prison officials, how much more did he 
do to assist them? 

Once having reached the outside of the wall, they separated 
into three small parties. Gen. Morgan and Capt. Hines forming 



340 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 



one. These two went boldly into the ticket office of the Little 
Miami Railroad, and bought tickets for Cincinnati. A friendly 
conversation which they were wary enough to strike up with a 

Federal officer who 
chanced to be traveling 
on the same train saved 
them from all suspicion 
on the part of the train 
officials or other passen- 
gers. It was daylight 
when they reached the 
suburbs of Porkopolis; 
and leaving the train be- 
fore it reached the city, 
under the pretext that 
they lived out there, they 
walked to the river and 
hired a boy to row them 
across. 

Once in Kentucky, 
they were safe; for Gen. 
Morgan was so popular 
among the Southern peo- 
ple there that they would 
make any effort to insure 
his escape. It was not 
long before they were 
safe at the Confederate 
headquarters in Tenn- 
essee. In the meantime 
the rope hanging over 
the outer wall of the pris 
on-yard had attracted at- 
tention as soon as the day 
broke; the alarm was 
i;-iven, and the prison 
^'■rfe^^^S^ was searched, only to 
Tlie Eficape. prove that the bird had 

flown. No effort was spared, now that the most important pris- 
oner had escaped, to guard against the others following his 
example; the most sensible of the precautions being the remov- 




II 



Capture and Escape of Morgan. 341 

al of all from the first range of cells. It was the old story — "The 
stable-door was shut after the horse got away." 

But though the man hud regained his liberty, the charm of his 
name was broken; he was no longer the invincible Morgan, at- 
tracting to his standard more men than he could arm and equip, 
and striking terror into the hearts of the enemy. The prestige 
of success was dimmed by his capture and imprisonment; and 
though he rallied his men and prepared for more work like that 
already done, he never again rode such a raid as the earlier one 
into Kentucky or the later one whose history we have traced. 
Indeed, there was not much more time remaining to him ; for on 
the 4th of September, 1864, less than ten months after his escape, 
he fell, pierced to the heart by the bullet of a Federal sharp- 
shooter. 



j::hapt£r //7I- 

A PERILOUS JOURNEY. 

Necessity for the Trip — Yolunteers — The Extra Tallow Cans— Running the Batter- 
ies — Pursuit — The Obstacles — Useless Eflbrts — The Fireman's Plan — Oiling the 
Track — Pursuit Baffled — Escape — ^Delivery of the Dispatches. 

IT was the summer of 1863. The "Eock of Chickamauga" had 
not yet earned the name, but was simply Brig. -Gen. Thomas, 
endeavoring to hold his own against the very force of Confeder- 
ates he M'as yet to annihilate. Intrenched upon a spur of the 
hills around Chattanooga, the Pederal soldiers were exhausted 
by hard fighting and long marches. Help must come soon, or 
they would be conquered by the Confederates or by starvation. 
But from what quarter was help to come ? Or how was any in- 
formation of their danger to penetrate the lines which Bragg was 
daily drawing closer and closer around the apparently doomed 
force ? 

Forty miles to the eastward of the position they held there 
was a body of thirty thousand men, commanded by Gen. Stock- 
ton. That officer had been ordered to hold a certain pass in the 
mountains until further orders, and Gen. Thomas knew him well 
enough to know that unless those orders were sent, the pass 
would be held. Yet if the danger of the main corps were but 
made known to this large detachment, heli? would come; other- 
wise they would be attacked separately and beaten in detail. 

No messenger could elude the wary foe, no force they could 
send would be strong enough to defy him and keep the dispatch- 
es from his hands. The only practicable plan was to make one 
bold dash and carry the message through by sheer speed; pro- 
viding, always, the bearers were not killed on the way. The 
Confederates, confident of their own strength, had not destroyed 

342 



a 



A Perilous Journey. 343 

the railroad line between the two Federal camps; an engine 
might be run through. True, the importance of this road had 
not been overlooked by the Eebs, for both sides of the track 
were lined with guards; but drowning men catch at straws; and 
in the black waters of despair which were surging about them, 
the Federals saw no other means of saving themselves. 

There were but few engines at Gen. Thomas' disposal, the more 
powerful being in the hands of the Confederates; but the best 
of these few was selected and made ready for the perilous jour- 
ney. An adjutant, Capt. , was to b^the bearer of the dis- 
patches. Two of the men, who had left the railroad to volunteer 
as soldiers, oflPered their services as engineer and fireman. No 
more were necessaiy, for an escort could not protect them against 
an army, and any superfluous weight it was judged would but re- 
tard their speed. 

Night was selected as the best time for the purpose, and at half 
past ten, on an evening when no moon would betray them to the 
enemy as a target, when even the stars were covered by heavy 
clouds, they were to set out. Thej'' were brave men, but they 
shook hands with their comrades and bade them good-by, as if 
they never expected to return, and each had left with some con- 
fidential friend a letter to be sent if he were not heard from in a 
given time. It was better to die thus, however, than to starve 
or surrender; and though it was buta chance in a thousand, they 
could not afford to lose even that one of saving the army. 

''Putin a couple of extra tallow cans, John," said the engineer 
to the fireman, "for we'll need an extra allowance. She must 
make good time on this trip." 

The wisdom of the precaution was seen; such speed as was 
necessary would rack the engine terribly if there were not plen- 
ty of tallow; and provided with the extra quantity, they mount- 
ed to the caboose, the throttle valve was opened, and they moved 
off; the noise of the engine the only sound, though the whole 
corps was watching. Two miles away lay the first battery; so 
much they knew ; but how many more there were, or how man}^ 
riflemen were posted along the road, they had no means of tell- 
ing. Slowly they moved onward; they were half a mile from 
their starting point when a report suddenly broke the stillness 
of the night, and a bullet whizzed past them. It was the first 
salute from the enemy's outposts, the first chord in the prelude 
to what might be the dead march. 



344 A Perilous Journey. 

The ball crashed through the window of the caboose, but fortu- 
nately, struck no one. There was but one thing to be done — 
the road was too closely guarded for them to slip through; the 
Confederates knew that there was an enemy on the track ; the 
little engine must be put to her utmost speed, that the flying 
balls might miss their aim, that she might dash untouched past 
unwary gunners. Yain hope! The pressure of steam was in- 
creased — the engine bounded along with great leaps, swaying 
now to one side, now to the other, but thick and fast came the 
whir of the bullets, as the alarm was spread among the watchful 
Southerners. 

Through the darkness they could see the lights flashing here 
and there at a certain point ahead of them — it was the first bat- 
tery, and the gunners were making ready for a warm reception 
of the three men on the engine. The locomotive thundered by 
and the guns belched forth their fire ; a solid shot was followed 
by a shower of grape that cut the framework of the caboose al- 
most to pieces, but, luckily, struck no vital part of the engine and 
missed the men upon her. 

The men stood resolutely at their posts, as the shot whistled 
around them ; and their only reply was to urge the engine to yet 
greater speed. A parting salute from the battery, as they whirl- 
ed onward, cut the support of the bell, which was carried, clang- 
ing as it was borne onward, into the bushes by the force of the 
missile. They were out of the range of that battery; they had in- 
deed leaped out of the fiying pan, like certain foolish fish ; but it 
was into the fire. The junction of this road with another was pro- 
tected by two batteries, past which they were now to run. This 
junction was an important point, and there were a number of 
tracks; upon one of which — horrible sight — there was an engine 
standing, ready fired up, and headed for the east. 

" Then and there was hurryin£? to and fro ;" 
and although the shots from these batteries were not so Avell 
aimed as those previously fired, there was this other, this worse 
danger to face. The Confederates rapidly coupled a car to this 
engine, and the Federals had hardly passed when the exciting 
chase began. 

"More fire, John," cried the engineer, as he saw that the bat- 
teries were again ready for action. ''Earn her full — it's neck or 
nothing with us now." 

But the words were hardly uttered when a cooler or more ex- 



346 



A Perilous Journey. 




A Perilous Journey. 347 

perienced gunner took aim, and a shell burst nearly directly 
over them. It was a miracle that they escaped ; but though the 
roof of the caboose was shattered, and the fireman lay wounded 
on the floor, the engine was not disabled. His place, however, 
was assumed by the officer, and although a shot or two was sent 
after them, they were already beyond the range of the batteries, 
and the shots spent themselves harmlessly in the air. As they 
heard the last one, and knew by the faintness of the report that 
they were out of range, the officer heaved a sigh of relief. 

"We're safe now," he said to his companions; "that is certain- 
ly their last battery." "Yes," he added, as a bullet whizzed 
through the broken windows of the cab, "that is from the pick- 
et on this side their camp." 

The engineer looked steadily forward into the night, half 
smiling as he thought that that letter need never be sent to tell 
that he had died in trying to save his comrades. But the 
wounded fireman had raised himself on one arm, and now a groan 
burst from his lips. 

" Is your wound so bad, John ?" asked the engineer, his face 
suddenly becoming grave again. 

" 'Taint that," replied John, briefly; " it's worse ; they're fol- 
lowing us. Listen !" 

The captain turned to the engineer with a pitying smile on 
his lips; surely the poor fellow was delirious with pain. But 
the other had turned, startled, to listen ; and he shook his head 
gravely in reply. 

"It's true, sir; every word of it; they've got out that engine 
at the junction, and are after us." 

"But they cannot overtake us, surely; not even so nearly as 
to get within pistol shot. You know the road, don't you? There 
need be no stoppages on that account." 

" Nary stoppage, sir; know this road like a book, for I used 
to run an express over it before I volunteered. I know that en- 
gine, too, for T was on her for a time. She was just put on a 
month or so before I left." And he shook his head. 

" Is it a better engine than this ?" asked the captain, his confi- 
dence of escape somewhat abated. 

"She can make fifty miles an hour without any trouble, and 
this one can't make forty. Then she's heavier, too, and has a 
car attached." 

" That's an advantage for us, though, isn't it?" 



348 A Perilous Journey. 

"No, it's on the other side. This one hasn't anything to bal- 
ance her, and if she goes too fast, may leap the track. She'll 
gain on us at the rate of about ten or fifteen miles an hour, un- 
less—" 

''Unless what?" 

"Unless we can stop her. But we can't do that till we get on a 
little farther. More fire, sir. We must keep her going as fast 
as we dare." 

Not one of the three men thought of surrender as a means of 
escape; nothing should prevent the delivery of the dispatches 
but the strong hand of death laid upon all of them. They had 
been well chosen for the task ; they would do or die. Anxious- 
ly they looked back at the pursuer; she was indeed gaining up- 
on them, rapidly, fearfully. Now the Confederates lost a little 
time, as the lighter engine flashed over a long trestle work, 
which the heavier one must cross with more caution. The 
flames leaped madly as the fire was being replenished, and the 
two dark figures stood out in strong relief against that glowing 
background. The pursuing locomotive thundered on with re- 
doubled speed when the solid road-bed was once more gained, 
and as the tempting target offered itself, more than one bullet 
was sent towards it. 

" That's pretty close," said the engineer, as one struck the 
clock and crashed through the works ; "it was meant for me, 
but the engine swayed so that no marksman in the world could 
be certain of his aim," 

Ten miles more, and the Federals would be so near Stockton's 
lines that the Confederates must turn back ; but could they make 
that ten miles? In the last ten, the pursuing engine had gained 
nearly half the distance which had separated them — could they 
hold out for ten miles more, or would they be overtaken before 
that time? Fortunatelj', the fire was now burning fiercely, and 
needed no immediate replenishing; so that any shot must be a 
chance one. 

"It will be all up with us in five miles more," said the engi- 
neer, as he looked out into the darkness and thought that, after 
all, it was well that he had written that letter; it would comfort 
" the folks " to have one from him telling them why he had gone 
"into the jaws of death." 

"Isn't there anything we can do ?" asked the officer, anxious- 
ly, as he glanced backward at the pursuer. The engineer shook 



A Terilous Journey. 349 

his head, but answered not a word. The case looked desperate. 

"Can't you throw something on the track ?" suggested the 
fireman, from his corner. " There are the firebars." 

" Hurrah, John," exclaimed the engineer, his face suddenly 
lighting up; " that's the ticket ! Captain, can you climb out on 
the truck and drop one across the track ? It may stop them." 

The officer, with one of the long, heavy rods in his hand, 
climbed out upon the truck and carefully dropped the rail across 
the track. He regained the cab, and the three men anxiously 
awaited the result — listening breathlessly for the terrible crash 
which would tell them that a dozen men, perhaps, had been sent 
into eternity. They strained their ears to hear — would the 
dreadful welcome sound never come to tell them of their own, 
of their comrades safety? A clanking noise behind them, then 
a crackling of the brush at the roadside — the bar had been lifted 
by the cow-catcher and thrown aside into the bushes. The three 
men on the foremost engine looked at each other, then each 
hastily turned their eyes away again — there was too terrible a 
meaning written in the faces of the others for any of them to 
read, and not give way. 

"It wouldn't have been so bad," mused the officer, half aloud, 
"to have been shot like soldiers, as we passed the batteries; 
but to be picked off" now like " 

"Sometimes something soft will stop an engine quicker than a 
bar," interrupted the hoarse voice of the engineer; "there's my 
heavy overcoat, Captain ; suppose you try that." 

The overcoat was dropped upon the track, and once again 
they breathlessly awaited the result. 

"If it only gets wedged into the piston bar, they may work 
all night before they can get it out," he said, as the officer re- 
turned to the cab. 

" A single half hour will serve our turn, though; we must be 
very near our lines." 

"Notso very near, sir; though a half-hour gained would — she's 
caught, she's caught!" he broke off", as his trained ear caught 
the heavy jolting sound and then the noise of the escaping 
steam. 

Again they looked at each other, but this time with intense 
relief expressed in their faces. The fireman, pale and worn with 
the pain of the wound, was the first to lose the look that the engi- 
neer's words had called up, and resume the old expression of 



350 A Perilous Journey. 

anxiety. His position enabled his ear to catch every vibration. 

"It hasn't caught the piston/' he groaned; "she's after us yet." 

It was but too true, as the thunder of the approaching en- 
gine assured them. She was rapidly gaining on them. There 
was no hope left, no possibility of escape. A few mo- 
ments more and the men crowded into that cab would take 
aim, as would their comrades in the car behind them. The 
pursuers were steadily, rapidly gaining on the pursued, and the 
distance would soon be so short that aim would be sure. Almost 
in sight of safety, they were to meet death and failure, as the 
vessel founders on the reef that lies just outside the harbor. Be- 
fore them lay a heavy grade — they would lose more time than 
ever. There was silence in the cab, broken only by the throb- 
bings of the engine's mighty heart. The wounded man was the 
first to speak. 

" William, there's one thing we haven't tried." 

The two others turned eagerly towards him, their faces mute- 
ly asking the question which their dry lips could not utter. 

"Have you forgotton the extra tallow you brought along?" 

"The tallow? John, you've saved us. Captain, the dispatches 

are all right. But how " he broke off suddenly, and looked 

perplexed. 

" I can steady her awhile, William," the wounded man said, 
in answer to that look, " if the captain and you can pour it on 
the rails." 

He arose and stood before them, pale and weak with pain and 
loss of blood, but with the same steady determination in his face 
which had been there when they set out; and his comrades felt 
that he would do as he had said, though he should die when it 
was done. The officer saw that the plan was a good one, for the 
others, both practical engineers, approved of it; but he had not 
the slightest idea what was to be done, or how anything was to 
be accomplished by means of two cans of tallow. There was no 
time to question, however, and when the engineer placed one 
can in his hand and bade him climb out once more on the tender, 
he obeyed as if he had been the private and the other his officer. 

" Lean over and pour your tallow on the rail. Don't waste a 
drop, and don't let a foot go unoiled." 

Still in the dark as to what was to be accomplished, the officer 
did as he was bid, while the engineer did the same at the other 
side of the track. The viscid fluid ran slowly from the long 



A Perilous Journey. B51 

curved spouts of the cans, and hardened as it fell on the rails; 
for the night was, for the season, cool and damp. At last every 
drop had been expended, and the two men crawled back to 
the cab. 

The pursuers were still gaining upon them, and were already- 
beginning to take aim. There had been no time for explanation, 
and now all three were eagerly Avaiting to see the result; the 
captain all the more anxiously, that he could not imagine what 
it would be. Onward came the pursuing engine, seeming to gain 




Oiling the Track. 

upon them at every yard ; she has reached the oiled portion of 
the track, and still bounds forward as before. But it is only the 
momentum that has carried her so far. Her speed slackens; the 
great driving wheels still turn as rapidly as ever, urged by the 
pressure of the steam; but on the oiled track they can make no 
progress. Faster and faster they turn, the friction that retarded 
them being removed, until with a whirling noise they whiz 
around so fast as to become almost invisible; and the steam es- 
capes with a shrill scream, like that of a disappointed child. 

The forward engine dashes on. The sounds that are heard be- 
hind them are sweeter than music in the ears of the three Feder- 
als — that noise tells them that they are safe. Still onward, on- 



352 A Perilous Journey, 

ward, until a shot is fired warningly from in front of tuom. 

" Don't fire," shouts the officer, as the engineer stops their 
advance; '' we are Federals with dispatches from Gen. Thomas." 

" Dismount; one, advance and give the countersign," answered 
the picket, not to be deterred from using the regulation formula 
by the irregular nature of their approach. His demands were 
complied with, so far as the dismounting and advancing were 
concerned ; but of course they could not give the countersign. 
To the officer in command of the detachment, however, they ex- 
plained the circumstances, and were by him conducted to head- 
quarters. 

A force of sufficient strength was sent out, and the Confeder- 
ates on the locomotive were captured ; but this was, of course, 
only incidental. The real result of importance was the march 
of this division to the relief of Gen. Thomas' army. But to the 
three men who took the perilous journey, it appeared no trifle 
that speedy promotion followed as a recognition of the daring 
service they had performed. 



A CRIPPLED MESSENGER. 

The Siege of Vicksburg— Caps and Dispatches to be Carried in — Departure — A 
Pleasing Sight— Past the Pickets— Loss of Crutch and Horse — A Canoe— On the 
River among the Enemy's Gunboats— A Lazy Fisherman — Passing the Feder- 
al Guns — FaiUng Strength — In Vicksburg — Return — Finds a Horse — A Fora- 
ger — An Unreliable Guide — A Cautious Enemy — A Lucky Find — Delivers his 
Dispatches. 

THE highest authority on human character tells us that the 
race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. 
Many are the proofs of the truth of this saying, to be found in 
the records of any war; and they are far from being scanty in 
the history of the great struggle between the North and the 
South, How much of the success achieved by the armies on 
either side was due to women, will never be known until all ac- 
counts of our mortality are finally settled. Many a man, too, 
sick or wounded, did the duty assigned him, and, perhaps, died 
in its performance. Kot such was the fate of him whose ex- 
ploit is our present subject; though he might well have been 
excused from duty by reason of disability. 

It was when the deadly coils of the Federal army had begun 
to wind, serpent-like, about the fair city of Vicksburg, and Gen. 
Johnston, outside of the fortifications, more than suspected that 
there was but a scanty supply of caps within. Besides, it was 
necessary to send a dispatch to Gen. Pemberton, in command 
of the beleaguered city. Not an available man could be detailed 
for the important service ; those who could be intrusted, were 
either otherwise emploj^ed or were unfit for duty, by reason of 
wounds. In this emergency, Lamar Fontaine, a young officer 
frequently employed in such hazardous enterprises, but now 
unable, by reason of a recently broken leg, to walk without 
353 



354 A Crippled Messenger. 

crutches, volunteered to undertake the perilous journey. Such 
was the state of the wounded limb, that in mounting he had to 
lift it over the saddle with his right hand. 

As the messenger was personally known to the besieged gen- 
eral and many members of his staff, Gen. Johnston decided to 
send only a verbal dispatch j which, if the young man chanced 
to be captured, would neither add to his danger nor afford in- 
formation to the enemy. The caps might be a source of danger, 
as their weight of forty pounds would considerably retard the 
speed of his horse, and, if taken, he would be marked as a mes- 
senger between the two armies. But though he had no inten- 
tion of denying his identity or mission in such a case, being cap- 
tured was equally far from his expectations. 

" Better take this sabre," said his father, " for its scabbard, be- 
ing wooden, will not rattle; and this revolver has never yet 
missed fire for me." 

With a prayer for the success and the safety of his son, and a 
strict injunction to him to kill any one of the "jackals" — so he 
termed them — that crossed his path or attempted to bar his pro- 
gress, the father sent the young man on his way. For a time all 
went well. Crossing Big Black River before night had set in, 
he reached a point by the next day between the Federal lines 
and the division of the army which was at Mechanicsburg. Here 
it was unsafe to proceed any farther until the darkness should 
again shelter his movements, and concealing his horse in a 
friendly ravine, he hid himself in the thick branches of a fallen 
tree near by, his precious burden of caps beside him, his pistol 
at his side, and crutches and sabre within easy reach. 

The day was not without its diversion, for the tree overlooked 
the road, along which were passing columns of Federal troops ; 
not with the steady and deliberate tread, and orderly appear- 
ance which betokened an advance or strategic movement, ])ut 
with the haste and confusion which accompany a retreat. lie 
could only guess what had happened, for the news of the engage- 
ment had not yet reached his ears; but this was indubitable proof 
of its result. 

But at last the columns of Federals had disappeared ; the 
clouds of dust had settled again to the earth ; the last tinge of 
red in the western sky had faded to the dull, deep gray which 
was beginning to envelop all things; and emerging from his 
leafy hiding-place, he hobbled to the ravine where he had left 






A Crippled Alcssenc/er. 



355 



his horse, and remounting, was soon on his way again. Though 
he was fully aware that the utmost caution would be necessary, 
and he used every endeavor to avoid an encounter, the Federal 
pickets were so closely posted as to make it impossible for him 
entirely to evade them. As he turned into the road from Yazoo 
City to Yicksburg, he saw the ominous gleam of their arms in 
the fire-light, and heard the command ring out on the still night 
air : 

"Halt! Who comes there ?" 

His noble horse had borne him through many perilous adven- 




Like a shot past the picket." 



tures, and knew every touch of his rider's hand ; it did notneed 
his one spur, then, to urge the animal onward. As he went past 
the picket post like a shot, they could only attempt to halt him 
by a volley from their muskets. The bullets whistled over him 
and around him, but not one reached the mark for which it was 
intended. The horseman rode on unscathed. But just as he 
felt himself comparatively safe, his evidently wounded horse 
reeled under him. A word of encouragement, a loving pat on 
the neck, and the steed with new spirit pressed forward. As he 
rode, one of his crutches was caught by the limb of a tree, and 
23 



356 ^ Crippled Messenger. 

as the pickets were still firing, he dared not stop to disentangle 
it. He must risk finding another, in some rude shape, or reach- 
ing Vicksburg without having use for it. 

Vain hope was the latter alternative ! The renewed strength 
of the horse he bestrode was but the last flaring of the flame, be- 
fore it goes out forever. He bore his rider onward until the bank 
of the Yazoo Eivcr was reached ; then, with one convulsive gasp 
and shudder, fell to the earth, dead. Thus deprived of both 
horse and crutch, it was no easy matter for the disabled man to 
make any headway, even if he had not been burdened by the 
percussion caps. SIoavIj^ and painfully, by the aid of the one 
crutch still remaining, he made his way down the stream, keep- 
ing a sharp lookout, as may well be believed, for anything that 
might assist him in getting over the ground. 

What was his joy to find, when hehad thus followed the course 
of the river, a small boat moored at the bank. It was but a log, 
hollowed out roughly, but it answered his purpose better, per- 
haps, than the most fancifully decorated skifl". Cutting the rope 
that tied it to a neighboring tree, he. was soon on his way again, 
but traveling with much less difficulty than before. 

He paddled quietly on, until he saw three Federal gunboats 
ascending the river, on their way to Yazoo City. Fortunately, 
there was a shelter at hand ; some willow trees, but a short dis- 
tance below, overhung the stream, the long boughs drooping 
down until the leaves at their tips were bathed in the water. 
Shooting obliquely across and down the river, he was soon with- 
in this leafy covert, where he lay quietly until the black mon- 
sters had passed; the men on board never once suspecting that 
there was an enemy any nearer than Yicksburg. These, how- 
^'^er^. were not the only vessels of the kind to be encountered. 

As he approached Snyder's Bluff", he saw the light from the 
illumination there spreading far and wide, over land and water ; 
while the sounds proceeding thence left no doubt that a grand 
ball was taking place there. The river below was crowded with 
their transports, gunboats and barges. Lying flat in the bottom 
of his rude boat, he disposed his blanket so as to cover him com- 
pletely, except his head; that no gleam from arms or buttons 
might attract the attention of the enemy. Thus covered, the 
dark hue of the blanket so nearly approached that of the canoe 
that it looked like a piece of innocent driftwood, floating past 
the Federal vessels. 



A Crippled Messenger. 357 

As soon as he was safely out of sight of the Yankees at Sny- 
der's Bluff, he began to row, and. was soon in the maze of streams 
known as the backwater of the Mississippi. But the darkness 
which had hitherto befriended him was now anything but an aid; 
for he missed the passage from the Yazoo into the Mississippi, 
and instead, got into Old River. For some time he tried to find 
the way into the bosom of the Father of Waters, but finall}', as 
day approached, was obliged to give up the effort, and conceal 
himself and his boat until night. 

But the morning revealed to him, even in his hiding-place, the 
mistake that he had made ; and when night once more came, he 
paddled into the Mississippi. Here again he must rest upon his 
oars, for he must pass forty or fifty transports. As he went by 
them, however, he did not attempt the more complete conceal- 
ment which had succeeded so well at Snyder's Bluff, and it was 
perhaps well that he did not, for a keen-eyed Northern soldier 
spied him. 

''Hello, you! Where'r you going?" 

"Just down here a piece, to look after my fishin' lines," drawl- 
ed the Confederate lazily. 

" Why don't you row steadily? You'd get there a good deal 
sooner." 

"What's the use? The river runs seven miles an hour. I'll 
row up stream." 

The Federal turned to a companion with a contemptuous 
laugh at Southern indolence, and the " fisherman " passed on "to 
look after his lines," nor was he again challenged by the enemy. 
But of the two methods of passing the vessels he rather prefer- 
red the former; and accordingly, as he neared the mortar fleet 
in the bend above Vicksburg, he again covered himself with his 
blanket, and impersonated the drift-wood. The ruse met with 
its former success; and as shell after shell was hurled into the 
doomed city, the unsuspicious Federals took no note of the ca- 
noe, in which were the percussion caps of which the besieged 
had so much need. At last this fleet was, in its turn, safely pass- 
ed. Only a little while, now, and he would have accomplished his 
mission ! It was well that he was so near the end of his perilous 
journey, for he was nearly exhausted; besides the fatigue inci- 
dent to such methods of traveling, there was the anxiety which 
he necessarily suffered, in regard, not only to his own personal 
■safety, for that was of comparatively small moment, but to the 



358 A CrippJtd Messenger. 

fate of the caps and the message of which he was the bearer; 
and his strength was rapidly failing by reason of hunger, for he 
had not tasted food for nearly sixt}' liours. 

But relief was soon to come. Just as the first beams of the 
morning sun changed the broad waters into a flood of molten 
brass, he iieared the Confederate picket-boats. T5'ing his white 
handkerchief to a paddle, he with difficulty raised himself to his 
feet, and waving it over his head, cried : 

"Hurrah for Jeff". Davis and the Southern Confederacy?" 

The cheer was answered from the boats and from the shore; 
and Capt. Fontaine, nearly fainting from exhaustion, was con- 
ducted to Gen. Pembcrton's headquarters. His message was de- 
livered, he was relieved of his burden of caps, and ordered to 
let a complete rest for the necessary length of time refresh him 
after his wearisome journey. A day and a night proved sufli- 
cient to recuperate him, and, charged with dispatches from Gen. 
Pemberton to Gen. Johnston, he again left the city. 

Of course it was impossible to return by the same way as that 
by which he had come. Is^otwithstanding his assurance to the 
Federal, he had no mind to row up stream, for that might be- 
tray him ; he could not row past three fleets as safely as he could 
float past them. He according-ly decided to descend the river 
still farther, and take to the shore at a point some distance be- 
low the city. Passing the Federal fleet south of the town as he 
had passed that north of it, he floated so close to their boats that 
he could see, through the open port-hole of one, the men play- 
ing cards ; while divers phrases greeted his ears, such as " I'll 
see that and go ten better;" "I call;" "Three kings and a 
pair;" " Confound the luck !" (or something more forcible.) 

But at last the ordeal b}- water was over, and he stepped upon 
the land at Diamond Place, some miles below Yicksburg, and on 
the same side of the river. Hobbling as best he might over the 
bottom lands, he reached the hills, and went to the residence of 
an acquaintance, from whom he hoped to obtain a horse. The 
Federals, however, had been there before him, and confiscated 
everything of the kind but a worn-out gelding and a colt only 
half-broken. Of these, he was oftered his choice, the owner many 
times regretting that his better horses had been obliged to ren- 
der their services to the United instead of the Confederate 
States. He chose the colt, trusting to his own horsemanship to , 
complete the process of breaking him in. Fortunately, he had 



I 



A Crippled Messenger. 



359 



gone but a short distance on this animal, when he came upon a 
fine horse, tied by a blind bridle. Tlie animal was unsaddled; 
and as a basket and old bag was lying near by, Capt. Fon- 
taine inferred that some negro, attached to a Yankee camp, had 
left them there. Exchanging bridles, and saddling the horse, 
he turned the colt loose to find his way back to the hills, and 
mounted the horse. 

As the camp where this animal belonged could not be far dis- 
tant, he knew he must exercise some caution, lest he come upon 
more Yankees than he cared to meet. Being well acquainted 




Passiny the Port-holes. 

with the country, he had no trouble in deciding what was prob- 
ably the location of the camp, and carefully rode around it. But 
he did not succeed in avoiding all the Federals. As he rode 
along, a Iduc-coat, hearing the sound of hoofs, and supposing it 
one of his own comrades, advanced fromthe shelter of the woods 
through which he had been making his way along a bridle-path. 
The new comer bore unquestionable marks that he had been for- 
aging; the said marks consisting of a pair of fat chickens and a 
bucket of honey. Planting himself in the road before the horse, 
which seemed to recognize him, he bognn : 



360 A Crippled Messenger. 

"Who are you, sir?" 

" I have no business with you/' replied the Confederate, en- 
deavoring to urge the horse onward. 

" Where are you going V 

"To attend to my own affairs. Stand aside and let me pass." 

"Are you on military busin'css?" 

"Stand aside and let mc pass." 

" Are you a soldier ?" 

''Oh, go to the devil and ask your questions," exclaimed the 
Confederate, as he pulled the trigger of his revolver and sent a 
ball crashing through the brain of the inquisitive forager. 

Some caution must be exercised in aj)proaching the next set- 
tlement, but he reached it in safety. There he hired a guide 
who claimed to be familiar with the state of the country, to pilot 
him to Hankerson's Ferry on Big Black Eiver ; fifty dollars be- 
ing paid for the service. But although the guide professed the 
utmost loyalty to the South, his words, somehow, did not have the 
genuine ring to them ; perhaps he was too loud in his protesta- 
tions of attachment to the Confederacy; at any rate, Capt. Fon- 
taine deemed it best not to trust him too far. The man seemed 
to be well acquainted with the disposition of the main bodies of 
Federals ; but of course there might be, at any prominent point 
like a ferry, a smaller body temporarily stationed. According- 
ly, as they drew near the point at which his services were to 
cease, Capt. Fontaine sent hira forward to ascertain whether 
there were any Yankees about. The guide was no sooner out 
of sight than the soldier concealed himself near the appointed 
rendezvous, fearing his return with a party of the enemy. He 
stayed away a long time — much longer than necessary for the re- 
connoissance — and finally came back, alone, 

"I couldn't get back any sooner, Captain, for I wanted to take 
a good look, and be sure. There ain't any Yankees near the 
ferry — not a Fed been there for some time, I heard." 

Capt. Fontaine paid the guide, dismissed him, and rode on, 
not having the slightest confidence in what had been told him. 
When, therefore, the man had disappeared, he turned hishorse's 
head and went to the northeast, instead of directly to the east. 
Tlie event proved that he had grounds for his mistrust of the 
guide. The man had occupied his time in hunting up a Federal 
officer who would send a guard to the ferry, and a long line of 
sentinels had been posted along the river road, to intercept the 



A Crippled Messenger. 361 

oouiederate ; while a considerable force (for the capture of one 
man) was at the ferry. 

As well assured that this was the case as if it had been de- 
scribed to him in so many words, Capt. Fontaine thought, that 
by changing his course, he could flank the enemy, and cross the 
stream a little higher up. But he somewhat underrated the cau- 
tion of the foe, in calculating the probable number of men that 
would be sent, and the length of the line of sentinels posted over 
the approaches of the river. As he turned into the river road, 
there suddenly arose from the bushes, not more than ten feet 
away, a blue-coated soldier. 

"Halt!" was the order, as the Confederate came up; and the 
answer rang out loud and clear — a pistol-shot. The sentinel fell 
forward, dead ; and the officer spurred his horse onward up the 
river. But the men were closely posted, and a shower of balls 
fell around him, whistling by his ears, fanning his cheek and 
waving his hair, cutting their way through his clothes, perfor- 
ating the wooden scabbard of his sabre, grazing the injured leg, 
two even wounding his right hand, but not so seriously as to pre- 
vent his using it. The horse was less fortunate; seven bullets 
entered his body, and it was with glazing eyes and weakened 
limbs that he bore his rider on — on — until he had placed a mile 
between the pursuers and the pursued. 

Being thus again left without a steed, he determined that it 
would be best to swim the river immediately, and trust to his 
good fortune to secure a horse on the other side. But for some dis- 
tance he limped on with no other support than his crutches. 
Fortunately, he was seen by a lady full of enthusiasm for the 
South, and she ofi'ered him a steed. 

" It seems as if it came for you or some one else of our army," 
she said, " for it's a stray that came here after the Feds had car- 
ried off every horse and mule on the place," 

The animal proved to be a good Confederate, for it bore him 
safely to Eaymond, where he arrived at two o'clock in the morn- 
ing. Changing horses here, he proceeded without loss of time 
to Jackson, and delivered his dispatches to Gen. Johnston early 
in the morning, five days after he had departed upon his peril- 
ous errand to the besieged city of Yicksburg. 



IN" THE ENEMY'S CAMP. 

The Scout's Fate — His Successor — The Errand Stated — Setting Out — Precautions — 
A Friendly Greeting — A. Keady-made Disguise — A Guide Provided — The 
Countersign — The Sentry Disposed of — A Struggle — A Council of War — An 
Uninvited Member — A Wide-awake Suntry — Discovered — "Xo, You Don't !" 
— " Tallahassee, Tallahassee I" — The Chase — Escape — The Kesult. 

ii \ 1 "THAT is it?" asked the general of the aid who had en- 
YY tered his tent, and who, having duly saluted his su- 
perior, stood with soldierly uprightness before him. 

"Two of the squads of scouts that were sent out last night have 
returned, wounded — " 

" Two ? There were four sent out, I thought.' 

*' There were four, sir, but the others were killed." 

"Where?" 

*' At the lower ford ; they were discovered and chased by a 
larger body of the enemy, and these two barely escaped with 
their lives." 

*'"What has caused the delay? They should have been back 
long ago." 

"They were obliged to ride several miles out of their way to 
elude the Eebels, who were better mounted; and one of them 
was hardly able to sit his horse. He fainted when the excite- 
ment of the chase was over, and it was some time before his 
comrade could revive him. The two happen to be brothers." 

" Then Mackworth is not one of them ?" 

" Mackworth was killed, sir." 

"That's bad; very bad," answered the general, with knitted 
eyebrows; " I don't know a man who can take his place." 

He thought a moment, and then asked of the aid : 
3G2 



In the Enemy's Camp. 363 

" Did they place the rockets where they were ordered t" 

"Yes, sir." 

" Did they bring any information in regard to the position or 
movements of the enemy?" 

"Tliey did not. It seems that Mackworth posted his men in 
the wood this side of the Confederate lines, and advanced alone 
and on foot. He had barely rejoined the squad and remounted 
when their presence was discovered, the Rebs gave chase, and in 
a few minutes he was killed." 

"And his information died with him. Hum ! Send Lieutenant 
Leighton, of the — th Michigan, to me immediately. 

The aid saluted and left the tent to obey the order. In a few 
minutes there stood before him a magnificent specimen of man- 
hood. The long limbs and well-shaped body showed no ounce 
of superflous flesh ; every muscle had been hardened into iron, 
while the flash of the dark eye bespoke an intelligence and cour- 
age which would not fail in time of need. 

They were old acquaintances, and the formality of the camp 
was forgotten as the general rose to greet his subordinate, and 
(he two soldiers stood side by side. 

" Are you still desirous of leaving the artillery for a scout's 
life?" 

" Just as much as ever." 

" Well, I have a mission forj'ou. You are thoroughly acquaint- 
ed with the surrounding country, are you not?" 

" I think I know every by-path," replied the would-be scout. 

"I have relied mainly upon Mackworth for the specially haz- 
ardous and important scouting, but he was killed last night. I 
want 3^ou to take hi? place." 

"Mackworth's ?" asked the lieutenant in surprise. 

"Yes. Do 3"ou know where the Sedley Mansion is?" 

" The Sedley mansion ? Yes. It's right in the heart of the 
enemy's camp." 

" Well, I want you to go there." 

There was a mingling of surprise and dismay upon the subal- 
tern's face for a moment; and then he answered, calmly : 

" Very well, sir," and stood waiting further orders. 

"The attack is to begin, according to my plans, to-morrow 
morning at daybreak. I have reason to believe that the Rebels 
have heard of this by their spies, and will be prepared for it. 
They will mass either at the centre or on the left wing; itis very 



364 In the Enemy's Camp. 

essential that I should know which. That is what I want you 
to discover," 

''Yeiy well, sir," answered the scout again, as the general 
paused. 

"You will go to the enemy's headquarters, ascertain his plans, 
and as you return set off rockets, which you will find in a hollow 
stump six paces beyond the second milestone from here. Mack- 
worth placed them there yesterday. One rocket will mean that 
the enemy is massed at the center, two, that his forces are con- 
centrated on his left wing. The headquarters are very near the 
tSedley Mansion." 

" When am I to go, sir ?" 

"As soon as the night is sufficiently advanced to make it safe — 
say about ten. Ecport to me again at half-past nine." 

The lieutenant, thus dismissed, saluted and left the tent. Bend- 
ing his steps towards his own quarters, he there endeavored to 
put his affairs in such order as he could, in case he should meet 
with Mackworth's fate. Be it understood that he was not a cow- 
ard; but fully realizing the dangers ofthe task he had under- 
taken, he was determined to go through with it, or perish in the 
attempt. A fool or a madman rushes into danger, shutting his 
eyes to the consequences ; a brave man walks into it, no detail 
escaping eye or ear, and accomj^lishes the end proposed. 

Prepared then for either fate, success or death, he presented 
himself, at the appointed hour, to Gen. Eosecrans, who, after giv- 
ing additional instructions in regard to detail, provided him 
with a superb gray horse of excellent mettle. He dashed away 
gaily, and before many minutes had passed, saw the block of 
granite which he knew to be the second milestone. Dismount- 
ing, he sought out the stump designated, and found that the 
rockets were all right, ready for the use for which they were in- 
tended. Greater care would now be necessary, for he could not. 
tell just where he might come upon the enemy's pickets. Short- 
ening the chain of his sabre, he bound the scabbard to his knee, 
to prevent its clanking; and even wrapped the rowels of his 
spurs with strips torn from his handkerchief. It was desirable 
that he should keep the road as much as possible, for in that 
mountainous country a path which he would strike out for him- 
self might prove impassable, and much time be lost thereby. 

The new moon now began to shed a faint light over the land- 
scape which had hitherto been wrapped in Egyptian darkness. 



In the Enemy's Camp. SG5 

The faintly illumined sky was flecked with ragged clouds, which 
QWQTj now and then obscured the moon, which at best afforded 
but little light. Around him rose, grim with their dark coronets 
of pine trees and misty veils, the pe;i!vs of the Blue Eidge. Not 
a sound stirred the stillness of the night as the solitary scout rode 
on, bent low upon the neck of his horse as he crossed the open 
spaces, lest he fall by the bullet of some concealed foe; the very 
footfalls of his horse upon the thick green sward by the roadside, 
made no noise. Again and again his path lay through the woods, 
where every tree might be a shelter for an enemy; and as he 
glanced first to one side and then to the other, his finger was on 
the trigger, his weapon cocked for self-defense. 

There is nothing to indicate to him the position of the enemy ; 
not theglareof a picket-fire illuming the woodland shadows; 
not the faint gleam of moonlight reflected from the side of atent. 
ThiSjOf course, materially increases his danger; for the enemy's 
pickets cannot be far off", and he must not come upon them un- 
awares. 

Thus cautiously feeling his way he came to the last of the nat- 
ural tei'races of the elevation on which the Federal troops were 
encamped, and began to descend the ravine-like valley. Dangers 
thickened around him. Not only was it so dark in this depression 
that he could not hope to distinguish any signs of the enemy's 
vicinity, but the surface was harder; his horse's hoofs clattered 
along the ground, and now and then struck fire from the pebbles 
with which it was strewn. At last the bottom of the ravine is 
reached, and he begins to ascend. Suddenly, as he emerges from 
the shadows of the trees which clothe the ravine, he sees outlined 
darkly against the sombre sky, a group of horsemen. 

"Hurry up I" cried one of them imjDatiently, though in a low 
tone. " What makes you come back so slowly ?" 

"Did 3'ou meet Col. Craig?" inquired a second, without giv- 
ing him time to answer the first quer}^ 

The truth flashed across him in an instant; they had mistaken 
him for a messenger of their own. His first impulse was to per- 
sonate the man whom they expected, but this, of course, would 
involve him in great difficulties; so he decided to represent 
himself as Col. Craig's orderly. All this was decided instan- 
taneously, so that the question had hardly died away before the 
answer was ready. 

"Your messenger found Col. Craig and reported to him, sir. 



366 



In the Enemy's Camp. 



The colonel sent him to scout a little way down the valley, and 
dispatched me, his orderly, to inform you that the enemy ap- 
peared to meditate a retreat." 

"Was he certain of their movements?" 

" Not quite ; he bade mo tell Gen. Forrest that he would give 
warning by rockets j one, if they retreated, two, if they remain- 
ed stationary in their present position." 

"All right. Do you know the way to headquarters?" 

"I think so, I Avas only 
there once, and that in the 
daytime ; but I reckon I can 
find it." 

"Tom, you'd better go 
with him to the inner picket 
line," said the officer of the 
squad, addressing one of his 
men ; then, turning to the 
self-styled orderly of Col. 
Craig, he added: "You'll 
have to leave your horse 
there, and climb the rest of 
the hill on foot. You'll see 
the Sedley mansion from 
the top. Just walk towards 
it, and when j^ou have 
reached it, keep on in the 
same direction until you 
see the camp. Y''ou can't 
miss it, even if you've never been there," 

Thanking the officer in courteous tones for his advice and the 
escort provided, our scout followed the Confederate trooper up 
the hill. It was fortunate, indeed, that the guide had been furn- 
ished him, for, of course, he did not know the countersign. In 
their eagerness to greet the messenger, as we have seen, the 
outer pickets had neglected to ask for it; but it was scarcely to 
be hoped that the others would be so careless in the performance 
of their duty. As it was, the Southern cavalryman preceded 
him, and, when challenged in due form, answered: 

"Tally—" 

The rest of the word was unintelligible to Leighton, though 
he had pressed eagerly forward for the express purpose ol hear- 




Giving the Countersign. 



In the Enemy's Camp. 367 

ing it. Every word of which he could think, commencing with 
the talismanic syllables, was summoned up in review as the pick- 
et stood with leveled carbine demanding the countersign, and 
was rejected. At last, after what seemed an age of anxious search, 
but was really but a moment, he hit upon; 

" Tallahassee V 

It was indeed, the magic word, the "open, sesame," to the 
charmed circle which the pickets formed. 

His escort left him, and, alone and on foot, he clambered up 
the side of the mountain. Higher, higher still, until the clouds 
obscured the valleys below him. At last the landmark, the 
Sedley Mansion, was reached, and the camp in sight. Taking his 
way to tbe general's tent, which was at some distance fro7ii the 
others, he saw, about a hundred yards from it, a sentry pacing 
to and fro. 

"Who goes there ?" came the challenge, as he approached. 

"A friend." 

"Advance and give the countersign." 

"Tallahassee," confidently replied the scout. 

" That's for the pickets, not for me," answered the Confederate, 
sternly, as he brought his carbine into position and took aim. 

But as quick as thought the Federal had sprung upon him, and 
clutched his throat with a grip of iron. The gun dropped from 
his hand, and he made an effort to get his bowie-knife. Lcigh- 
ton dared not use his revolver, dared not strike a blow, unless 
it were with a knife, for the slightest noise might alarm a com- 
rade of the sentr3% The knife at the Confederate's belt caught 
his eye as a gleam of moonlight fell upon the shining blade; his 
attention having been directed to it by the efforts which the other 
made to get hold of it. It was a struggle of a most desperate 
character. The slightest noise would have been fatal to the scout, 
but his grip on his antagonist's throat was such that the Confed- 
erate had not power to utter a sound. It was literally a man- 
to-man fight. So evenly were they matched that they struggled 
for some minutes before either could gain the slightest advan- 
tage. The Southerner, despairing of being able otiierwise to un- 
loose that deadly grasp, succeeded in getting aportion of his op- 
ponent's right arm between his teeth, and was causing such pain 
that the Federal knew he must soon relax his hold j but with a 
desperate effort he wrenched the bowie from its place, and drove 
it deep, deep, into the heart of the Confederate just as thelatter's 



508 



In the Unemy's Camp, 



teeth met in his arm with the grip of a dying bull-dog. 

Eepressing with some difficulty the exclamation of pain which 
rose to his lips, he tossed his cap away from him, and assumed 
the broad-brimmed, soft black felt hat which the sentry had 
worn, and arrayed himself in the Confederate's overcoat. Drag- 
ging the body into the deep shadows near by, he picked up the 
fallen Jiusket, and began pacing to and fro, as wide-awake a sen- 
try as officer of the guard could wish. 

Every turn brought him a little nearer to the tent, until atlast 
he could hear the voices within it. Then, creeping noiselessly 
to the canvas wall, he 
lifted the edge of the 
tent cautiously and peer- 
ed beneath it. The 
whole interior was visi- 
ble, lighted by the cand- 
les that stood on the 
rude table. Around this 
sat a number of Con- 
federate officers, evi- 
dently forming a coun- 
cil of war. Some of them 
were bending over the 
map which lay upon the 
table, while others ap- 
peared to know the 
country perfectly with- 
out that aid. For near- ^^'^ Struffgle with the Sentry. 

\j an hour he lay there, eagerly drinking in their words j until 
atlast all their plans for the disposition of their forces were 
clear to him. The troops were to be massed on the left wing. 

At last, the questions for the consideration of which the coun- 
cil had been summoned were all decided, and the officers pre- 
pared to disperse. Hastily dropping the edge of the canvas as 
they rose and looked around them, he grasped his musket and 
ran to the sentry's beat. When they emerged from the tent, he 
was pacing back and forth as leisurely and serenely as if he had 
never left his post; as if, indeed, it were the same sentry that 
had been posted there. 

The officers went to their quarters, one of them passing with- 
in a yard of the dead soldier's body?, but not one had the slight- 




In the Enemy's Camp. 



369 



est suspicion that beneath the sentry's gray overcoat there was 
any but a gray uniform. The self-constituted guard continued 
to perform his victim's duty, until there was no longer any dan- 
ger of immediate discovery if be deserted his post. It was now 
two o'clock; it would be five before he could reach the hollow 
stump and set off the rockets; no time was to be lost, then, if the 
attack was to begin at the break of day. Throwing aside his over- 
coat, and replacing the sombrero by his cap, he made for the 
point where he had left his horse, mounted, and passed the 
inner picket safely by the aid of the countersign. 

Let us return to the 
anxious watchers for 
the messenger, who had 
so eagerly welcomed 
Col. Craig's orderly. 
The trooper who had 
acted as guide had not 
long rejoined his com- 
rades, when a consider- 
able body of men, evi- 
dently a reconnoitering 
party, approached the 
post. 

"Why, Colonel," ex- 
claimed the officer, "I 
didn't expect to see you 
back to-night." 

" Did you think I was 
goingto be killed or cap- 




Peering into the Tent. 



tured ?" rejoined the new comer, good humoredly. 

" O no, but I understood from your orderly that you had gone 
farther down the valley, and intended to watch the enemy all 
night." 

" My orderly?" exclaimed the colonel in surprise. 

"Yes, that yovL sent about a half-hour or so ago, with themes- 
sago that the enemy were either stationary or retreating." 

" I sent no such message — in fact, didn't send anybody at all." 

"It's ad d Yankee trick," exclaimed a soldier, of quicker 

perceptions than the others; who, thus assisted, saw through 
the whole ruse. 

"Never mind, I'll fix him," said the picket-officer; "we'll get 



870 In the Enemifs Camp. 

him good; he thinks himself so mighty smart he'll be sure to 

comeback this way to allay suspicions; d n him, he's got 

the countersign, ain't he, Tom?" 

"Eeckon so — passed the inner picket. I don't think he heard 
me give it, though." 

" "Well, it don't make any difference how he got it, for he can't 
get past this post any more'n if he didn't have it." 

Col. Craig and his 
men departed, and 
the pickets endeav- 
ored to possess their 
souls in patience un- 
til the return of the 
"orderly." 

It was full three 
o'clock when they 
heard the sound of a 
horseman's approach 
and challenged him. 

''Tallahassee," 
answered the Fed- 
eral. 

''No, you don't, 

you d d Yank ; 

there he goes, boys — 
fire !" 

The word of com- 
mand was unneces- 
sary, for the men, 
angry at having been 
so deceived, were in 
haste to avenge 
themselves on the 
deceiver. Besides, 
who knew what in- 
formation he was 
taking to the ene- 
my's camp 




Firing the Rockets. 



Perceiving that his true character was known, Leighton dash- 
ed down the slope, yelling, with an insane force, the counter- 
sign — " Tallahassee ! Tallahassee!" 



In the Enemy's Camp. 371 

After him dashed the Confederates, speedily reinforced, for 
their shots and cries had alarmed the camp. He himself could 
not have told why he repeated, again and again, the word in 
which he had trusted, but the same mountain-side that echoed 
back the clatter of the horse's hoofs, the clanking of the sabres, 
the shots of the carbines, the yells of the pursuers, gave back 
the wild, unmeaning cry: 

" Tallahassee ! Tallahassee !" 

At last, favored by his intimate knowledge of the country, he 
skillfully contrived to lose himself in the forest; and as they 
sought to regain the lost trail, he dashed onward to the stump. 
At last it is reached; the rockets arc drawn forth j one ascends, 
long and bright, into the gloomy sky of that proverbial " dark- 
est hour just before the dawn ;" and even as its brilliancy fades 
into the night, another follows it. 

Onward he galloped, but did not reach the camp. The col- 
umn was moving forward, and, forgetful of his night's work, he 
fell into his accustomed place and returned toward the Confed- 
erate lines. Hurling his forces against the Southern centre, 
which had been weakened that the troops might be massed on 
the left, Gen. Eosecrans gained the victory of the next day; a 
success due mainly to the information furnished by Lieutenant 
Leighton, the scout. 



5^HAPTER_2(77IY- 
"KILDEE" AND HIS FRIEND. 

The "Birds" — Within the Enemj-'s Lines — An Unexpected Obstacle — DiflBculties 
of the Case — An Inquiring Mind — Satisfied — A Mad Kide — The Chase — Cap- 
tured — "Shall We Stretch Legs or Hemp?"— "Let Her Eoll, Gallagher" — 
They Roll. 

A HANDSOME bird is the joree, with the three black feath- 
ers showing distinctly on its tail ; other marks there are, 
but these are all that interest us at present, for it was these which 
caused some waggish comrade, seeing the three black stripes on 
the coat-tails of the Twiggs County (Georgia) Volunteers, to 
nickname them the Jbrees. Like most apt sobriquets, it stuck j 
nor were they at all averse to it. One of the " birds," slender 
and agile, received a special name; and it was as " Kildee," 
rather than as John West, that he was best known. 

His proficiency as a marksman caused him to be enrolled in a 
body of thirteen sharpshooters, commanded by one " General " 
Brown ; and so great were the services rendered by this hand- 
ful of men, that Gen. Lee esteemed them as more useful to him 
than was any regiment in the army. Nor was their duty over 
when the battle ended. On more than one occasion the various 
members proved themselves as wary scouts and reliable in re- 
connoissance as any others. It was on such an expedition that 
the chief of the detachment and Kildee were bound when the 
incidents of the following story occurred. 

They had penetrated far into the enemy's country, and had 
ascertained much regtu-ding the strength and disposition of his 
forces. Thej^ were too wary to carry plans or estimates, and 
trusted to their memories alone to reproduce the information of 
which they had thus become possessed. After several close 

372 



II 



"Kildee" and His Friend. 373 

scrapes in slipping through the pickets of the opposing forces, 
their task was now completed, and it only remained for them to 
return to the Confederate camp and place the result of their er- 
rand before their superior officer. 

An hour's ride, and they would be safe. But while thus ap- 
parently near to security, they came somewhat suddenly upon 
an unexpected obstacle. Along the road below their hilly route 
wound a long wagon-train, fully guarded by the enemy's sol- 
diers. Brown and Kildee halted their horses a moment as they 
came upon this unexpected sight. Cross the road they must; 
but where should they tind a break in the train ? 

"We have been in sight of some of them, and will be suspect- 
ed and chased if we turn around," remarked Kildee, anxiously. 

"Besides, we have no place of shelter if we do go back," re- 
plied Brown, thoughtfully ; " that sentry we eluded last has of 
course given the alarm before now, that two of 'Sheridan's 
aides' (ha! ha!) passed his post last night; and they may be 
in pursuit now — may be on our very heels." 

"The rear is of course guarded well," mused Kildee. 

" It seems to me," said Brown, " that our only hope is to try 
and get ahead of the train — cross the road in advance of it. 
Maybe, by pure impudence, we can avert suspicion." 

The two disguised Confederates accordingly rode onward af- 
ter this brief council of war, in the hope that this plan would 
prove feasible. But the train, the van of which had not been in 
sight from the spot where they had halted, was longer and farth- 
er ahead of them than they had thought it was; the proposed 
plan was wholly impracticable. 

The state of affairs was sufficiently thrilling to satisfy the most 
daring lover of adventure: before them was the wagon train, 
behind them were the enemy's camps, and they wore upon their 
backs blue coats, such as are the uniform of soldiers in the U. S. 
Army. What were they to do? A few words to Kildee, and the 
General, riding straight toward a driver, addressed him in such 
a tone of authority as became his apparent rank : 

" Turn your wagon aside, and let us pass." 

But the driver was on the alert. It was well along in the war, 
and men did not take things for granted as they had done at first. 

" I must know by whose authority you give the order, sir." 

" I act upon mj^ own authority," responded the Confederate, 
with much dignity — and no less anxiety. 



»74 



"Kildee" and His Friend. 



"I do not know J'ou, sir/' returned the driver, cooll}^. 

"I am Colonel Coleman," replied Brown, haughtily. 

But the Yankee was too sharp to be caught in any such way. 
Col. Coleman was the name of the officer in command of the 
train, as he knew ; but he had his doubts as to the identit}' of 
the individual before him. 

" I cannot turn out, sir, without the direct order of the officer 
in charge of this section; my orders are very strict, as I sujipose 
Col. Coleman knows." 









^ 




'■^Anything but capture." 

Ilis tone was civil enough, but very determined; the moments 
were jirecious; to yield the question, and allow him to pass on, 
while they tried the same plan with a following wagon, would 
be fatal, as it would strengthen the suspicions of this man. But 
one reply was possible; there was but one mode of gaining a 
moment's time ; and Brown, drawing his revolver, sent that an- 
swer crashing through the brain of the wary driver. Wheeling 
their horses, as if by a common instinct, they dashed along the 
long line of wagonstowards the rear, hoping to pass behind them. 
Perhaps, by some lucky chance, thej' might get between the end 



.^^i 



^'■Kildee" and His Friend. 375 

of the train and the van of the guard. It was dangerous, of 
course, but was it any more so than their present situation ? 

The hoofs clatter along the road at full speed ; and the drivers 
turn to look after the two men riding to the rear at such a pace. 
The pistol-shot has scarcely been heard, or mistaken for an un- 
usually loud crack of a whip. They reach the last wagon, and 
wheeling suddenly to the left, cross the road along which the 
train has come. But the ride at break-neck speed has not been 
unobserved b}" the company of cavalry guarding the rear; and 
a shower of bullets follows the daring riders. Onward they 
dash, and the horses strain their muscles to take the stone wall 
which rises before them. There is a flj'ingleap j but just as Kil- 
dee's horse again touches the earth with his hoofs, a Federal bul- 
let strikes the gallant steed behind the ear, and he falls to the 
ground, dead. It takes but a moment for his rider to extricate 
himself, and, gaining his feet, run at full speed after his comrade 
who is still mounted. Brown continues the race, unable to do 
more than save himself, if he can do that; but he has not gone 
twenty paces before his steed meets the same fate as his friend's. 
Anything but capture ! And they madly dash forward on foot, 
as if their utmost fleetness could avail against that of the cavalry 
horses thundering behind them. But a score of Federals over- 
take and surround them, and they are carried back to the road 
which they had so hurriedly left, under a strong guard. Men so 
desperate as they were could not be sent back to the main camp 
without a stronger guard than the officer in command of the 
wagon-train could spare from his force ; so the two prison- 
ers remained in charge of their captors, and continued the jour- 
ney. The outlook was not a cheerful one. At noon of the next 
day, the train would arrive at its destination; the prisoners 
would be at once handed over to the military authorities, tried, 
sentenced, and executed as spies. Their blue coats forbade the 
expectation of any other fate. 

Night came on, and the detachment halted. A square, several 
yards in extent, was marked out as the place for the prisoners. 
On each side of this square a sentry was stationed, instructed to 
pace back and forth until duly relieved, keeping a strict watch 
upon the captives ; and the prisoners lay in the long grass in 
the centre, wondering what miracle could set them free. 

Night wore on, and the stars shone clearly from the dark blue 
summer sky. The heat that had so oppressed them during the 



376 "Kildee" and His Friend. 

day was forgotten in the comfort which the cool breezes brought 
alike to captors and captives. The air grew cooler, and by the 
time the guard was changed, was quite moist; clouds, too, cov- 
ered the sky, and hid the stars from view. Silently Kildee 
thanked Heaven that it was so. 

Not a sound broke the stillness of the night but the wind sigh- 
ing in the leaves of the trees near by, and the tread of the sen- 
tinels on the long, soft grass. Noiselessly Kildee rolled over 
and touched his companion in misfortune. Brown was on the 
qui r/re in an instant. 

"I think I'll get out of this," remarked the sharpshooter, in 
a whisper, as coolly as if it rested entirely with himself. 

Had the darkness been less intense, the expression on Brown's 
face would have been a more eloquent replj'' than words ; as it 
was, he responded, " How are you going to do it ? " 

" I'd rather risk four bullets in the dark than twenty in day- 
light," was the answer; "and we are certain to be shot as spies 
if we do not get out of their clutches to-night." 

" Yes," was the gloomy response, " shot or — " 

The speaker did not name the alternative, though it was not 
absent from his thoughts, or his companion's. Then Kildee un- 
folded his plan, which only the intense darkness made feasible. 
The beat of each one of their guards was about eight yards. 
Was it possible to pass them? Failure could result in nothing 
worse than they were sure to experience if they made no effort. 

" Except that an unsuccessful attempt will alarm them, and 
we will not have another opportunity, objected Brown. 

" What do you think would be a better plan ?" asked Kildee. 

The argument was unanswerable, and Brown finally agreed to 
risk all that his comrade dared. To rise would of course expose 
them to the sight of the guard, for even through the darkness 
of the night they could see dimly the forms of the soldiers pass- 
ing to and fro ; they must not outline themselves against the 
sky, even though it be a dark one. Rolling, slowly and noise- 
lessly, they advanced from the centre of the square assigned 
them, until they had almost reached its bounds. But now they 
must pause, for the sentinel has turned on his beat, and is ad- 
vancing toward them. The slightest rustling in the grass may 
excite his suspicions, and so they lie still as death, scarcely dar- . 
ing even to breathe, lest he find how near thej'are to the bounds 
of their square. He paces onward, and as soon as his back is 



"Kildee" and His Friend. 377 

turned, they are ready to roll farther from the centre. But they 
hardly deem it safe, before he halts, and leans forward, peer- 
ing through the darkness. He turns, although he has scarcely 
reached the middle of his beat, and retraces his steps. They feel 
that he suspects them, and make no sign. At almost every step 
he halts, and it seems to them that they are discovered to a cer- 
tainty. But he passes on; and this time he completes his beat 
before returning. Still they dare not move, but wait until his 
suspicions are allayed. He returns, and when, for the fourth 
time, he has passed so near them that their hands, outstretched, 
might have touched his feet, he walks with the sentinel's ordi- 
nary regular pace. They are safe from him, for the present. 

At last they were without the square, and any slight rustling 
in the grass would not excite the alarm of the guards, as it 
would be sure to do if heard in the place where the prisoners 
were supposed to be lying. Still it was not safe to let themselves 
be seen by any chance gleam of starlight; and they rolled past 
the outer pickets in the same manner. When they were about 
fifty yards from the limits of the camp, they straightened up, 
and struck out for the mountains. They knew the fastnesses of 
the hills " as seamen know the sea," and well for them that they 
did. Clambering in the darkness to a place almost inaccessible 
save to those who were well acquainted with its situation, they 
lay still until morning, which was not then far oif. 

At the first gleam of light, the sentries discovered that their 
beats surrounded a vacant space; and the alarm was at once giv- 
en. But, luckily for the fugitives, a heavy shower, coming up 
towards dawn, had quite obliterated all traces of their escape, 
and the guards could not tell in what direction they had gone. 
To explore the mountains would be an endless and dangerous 
task, requiring so many men that the train would have been left 
to the mercy of a mere handful of Confederates ; and Col. Cole- 
man (the real one) did not think that the case required such a 
risk. Thus our two scouts escaped, though it was not without 
some days' rough traveling, without food of any kind, that they 
reached the Confederate headquarters. "Whether the information 
which they were able to furnish was any advantage to Gen. Lee 
a few days later at Cold Harbor, history does not relate; but 
Kildee did excellent service as a sharpshooter in that battle. 



AN ESCAPE FROM LIBBY. 

Defying Search — Resolution to Escape — Opinion of Others — A Companion — An 
Unsuccessful Plan — Another Mode Proposed — Mystifying their Comrades — 
Passing the Guards — At the Rendezvous — A Keen-eyed Stranger — The 
Source of Help — At the Picket Post. 

"TjlARLY in October, 1863, a new batch of prisoners arrived in 
fij Eichmond, having just come from the prison at Belle Isle, 
where they had been confined five days. They were sent to 
Libby Prison. It is with one of these men, Corporal Purdum, 
that our present narrative concerns itself. 

Before the search of the prisoners took place, he had taken 
one of the buttons of his blouse ajjurt, pressed a ten-dollar bill 
into it, and fastened it together in such a way that the keenest 
eye would not detect the difference. By means of this greenback 
he was enabled, during the earlier days of his captivity, to ob- 
tain rations which were, in quantity and quality, far beyond 
those given out by the prison oflScials. But time went on, and 
after a few days the money gave out. Haversack and i:)ocket- 
knife were then traded for the much desired articles of food; 
but at last every resource was exhausted, and there were but two 
courses remaining. One of these was to stay in the prison and 
suffer, as he saw the men around him suffering; the other was 
to attempt to escape. To his comrades he mentioned the alterna- 
tives. 

'' There's really no choice," said one. " though you think there 
is. You could never get away — never." 

" One could at least die in the attempt," he answered, dogged- 
ly, "and that would be better than to die by inches here, as 
we're all sure to do if we don't get away." 
a78 



An Escape from Libbxj. 



379 



It is simply suicide," said another, shaking his headj ''as 
good a way as anj' would be to jump from one of the windows 



i^fcof the fourth story. 



" Still, I think I shall make the effort," returned the corporal, 
unconvinced by all that might be said. 

"Corporal, are you quite determined to go ?" asked a young 
Pennsylvanian, who had been a silent auditor of the discussion. 

"Quite," was the brief answer. 

" Well, so am I. Suppose we try it together ?" 




Libhy Prison. 

The proposition was accepted, and the two set their wits to 
work to devise a plan. But it seemed to be in vain. From the 
windows of the upper floor they could get a good view of a con- 
siderable part of the city. But it seemed like the view which 
Moses had of the Promised Land; they could look upon it, but 
that was all. However, there was no harm in saj'ing what they 
would do if they were fortunate enough to getaway. There was 
no telling when they might be closely confined to one of the 
lower floors, so that they reconnoitered carefully from the fourth 
story windows, and marked out the route to be pursued, if ever 
opportunity should offer. Directly east for four or five miles, 
then slightly towards the south, and they would come out near 
the Federal lines at Williamsburg. 

It was long before the days of that famous tunnel, which for 



380 An Escape from Libby. 

so many of the prisoners was the path to liberty, and for some 
to the grave. Tunneling, indeed, seems to have been unthought 
of, or dismissed as utterly impracticable. Tlieir first attempt 
was an effort to make use of some planks that had been nailed 
up at the rear of the building. To get these up to a window, and 
lay thcra across to the fence, was the first thing to be done ; they 
worked night after night, for of course they could do nothing 
during the day; but alas for their love of liberty ! Their labors 
were discovered, and although they were not, as in many other 
prisons, punished for the attempt, they were of course obliged 
to lay some other plan. But what plan could possibly be exe- 
cuted ? 

"I just tell you what it is," said Purdum, as the two sat in 
council, "the building's so closely guarded that there's only one 
way to get out." 

" What's that?" asked the other. 

*' Walk out of the door," replied the corporal. "You may not 
believe it, but I tell you it'll have to come to that, 3'ct." 

" But I don't see how it is to be done," persisted the Pennsyl- 
vanian. 

"Hi, Purdum, you here yet?" called a waggish comrade, who 

chanced to come near them ; " why, I thoughtyouand B had 

escaped ages ago." 

"We did come mighty near it," answered Purdum, good-na- 
tured]}^, " but we slipped up somehow. As I tell you," this to 

B , " we'll have to walk out. They're cleaning up the prison 

now, so it's a prett}' good time. We'll have to get Eebel uni- 
forms, of course." 

"Well, if you think it can be done, all right. We'll try it. 
But don't say a word about it to the others — they chaff us un- 
mercifull}' now," stipulated B . 

The Confederate uniforms were obtained, by what means does 
not appear. So many of the men who narrate their own adven- 
tures of this kind do not seem to realize that the main interest 
lies in the details, and not in the facts. The day that the second 
suit was procured was the one set for trying the plan. 

At dusk they were ready, but it was agreed to wait until the 
relief guard came on duty at seven o'clock before the game was 
tried. In the meantime, they walked about the prison, clad in 
their gray uniforms, to see if their comrades would suspect theme 
All took them to be Confederates. 



II 



V 



An Escape from Libby. 381 

"Are you busy, sir?" asked a low voice in Purdum's ear. 

" Well, no, not so ver3^" 

"Just step aside here, will you. I'dliketo see you a moment." 

The speaker was one of the prisoners. Greatly mystified, the 
corporal complied with the request. 

" See here, I wish you'd try and get me out of prison, won't 
you ? I don't belong here, really, I was conscripted j I didn't 
want to fight against the South ; I've never been in a battle and 
never fired a gun at the Southern people. I'd give most anything 
to a man that would get me out of prison." 

" Well, I'll see about it," replied Purdum, who found, by this 
means, that his disguise was perfect. They were solicited 
several times by other prisoners, who asked them to bring in 
bread ; but they excused themselves from this favor by pleading 
that the guard would not permit trading. At length the ap- 
pointed hour arrived, and Purdum presented himself at the door, 
it having been arranged that he was to make the first attempt. 
He passed unchallenged by the guard, who supposed he was 
simply one of the soldiers that had been superintending the 
cleaning of the building. Not so the sentinel at the outer line, 
on the street. 

" Halt ! Who goes there ?" 

" A friend," replied Purdum. 

" Where do you come from" 

"I am Police Sergeant, and have been directing the cleaning 
of the prison." 

"I have no orders to let you pass, sir," said the guard. 

" Probably because it is a matter of course that I should be al- 
lowed to pass; or perhaps I am later than usual this evening, 
and they expected me to be out before you came on duty. I 
usually am through earlier. The guard has just been changed, 
hasn't it?" 

" Yes, sir," very meekly. 

" That explains it, then. But you are not going to keep me 
in, are you?" 

"Oh no, certainly not, sir; pass on;" and the guard saluted 
as though to a superior officer. 

B was less fortunate. The first guard would not let him 

pass. He was therefore reduced to strategy, and, much to his 
disgust, was obliged to take some of his companions into the se- 
cret. These comrades made a demonstration at one of the win- 



y 



/ / 



/ 



382 



Jin Escape from Libhy. 



I 

dows which attracted the attention of the guard, and -^ile he 

was busily looking to find out what was the matter there', Bf 

slipped past him and escaped by crawling under some boTirfl«e ly- 
ing near by. ■ He was not halted by the guard on the strG<n, and 




I'assiuy the Guard. 

soon arrived at the appointed rendezvous, a small hill some 
three squares from the prison. Here he found Puraam, who had 
been waiting for nearly an hour and a half, and was almost froz- 
en with the long inaction in the chilling November air. 

They dared not congratulate each other in words ; only a si- 



An Escape from Lilly. 383 

lent pressure of the hands, a glad look into each other's eyes j 
and they started on their perilous journey through the enemy's 
country, alone, without friends or money. Guided only by the 
stars, they pursued the route which they had planned before set- 
ting out. They crossed the woods and fields, traveling at a good 
round pace, until they came to the fortifications ; these must be 
approached with more caution. But any fears which they might 
have entertained proved groundless, for the defenses were pass- 
ed in safety. Once beyond theintrenchments, they thought they 
might venture to ask for guidance ; but although they were care- 
ful to select a humble house, apparently tenanted by negroes, 
their knock at the door received no response. There was noth- 
ing to be done, then, but to make their way onward as best they 
might. Fortunately, the sky was cloudless, and these wander- 
ers in an unknown country, without guide or compass, literally 
received aid from on high. 

So they traveled on until about two o'clock. Weak and tired, 
they were obliged to rest ; and stealing into an old stable, they 
went in and laid down. But thinly clad as they were, the bit- 
ing air of the November night chilled them to the bone; and 
after a brief trial of the stable, they were only too glad to seek 
shelter in a neighboring house. Here they found a friend in its 
solitary occupant, an aged negress, who gave them not only 
shelter and warmth, but shared with them her scanty supply of 
food. At this place they learned that they had traveled ten 
miles in the direction which they wished to take. Early in the 
morning, they again set out ; for xheir dress made it possible for 
them to travel by day without being suspected. Indeed they met 
many persons who would doubtless have returned them to Lib- 
by had not the Confederate uniform deceived them. At noon 
they were fed by a woman whose husband was in the Southern 
army; from her, too, they learned much about the roads. 

They reached the Chickahominy river, twenty miles from 
Richmond. Oh for one of those long bridges which had been 
destroyed when McClellan advanced towards Richmond ! But 
the wish was ungratified, and they set to work to find some oth- 
er means of crossing the river. Two logs felled for some pur- 
pose and left to lie where they had fallen, served as rude rafts; 
a long stout limb of a tree enabled each to "pole" himself over. 
But one of their greatest perils was to be encountered after this 
diflSculty had been surmounted. This was nothing else than the 



384 An Escape from Libby. 

meeting with a man whom at first they took for a Confederate 
soldier. Tlicy afterward found, however, that his gray suit was 
not a uniform, but simple citizen's homespun, dj'od with spruce 
pine roots, and worn as a piece of necessary economy in those 
days of the blocl^ade. 

" Where do you belong ?" was almost his first question. 

*' To the Nineteenth Virginia Battalion, guarding prisoners 
atRichmond," Purdum answered, gravely. 

"Where are you going?" 

" Home on furlough," was the reply which came promptly. 

The stranger looked sharply at them for full a minute; but 
they returned his gaze with as much of honesty and frankness as 
they could summon to the support of falsehood. 

"Oh, pshaw," he ejaculated, laughing ; " you needn'ttry to fool 
me. You're escaped prisoners, trying to get to the Federal lines." 

With an air that seemed to say, " You'd better not know so 
much than know so much that ain't so," Purdum gravely assur- 
ed him that he misjudged them ; but tlie assurance produced lit- 
tle or no eff"cct. 

"You'd better turn back to Richmond ; you'll never get past 
the pickets," he said, shaking his head. 

"We'll turnback when our furlough ends," said Purdum, 
" and not a daybcfore." 

"Well, good-bye and good luck to you, "he said, "but I'm afraid 
you will never get to your friends." 

Off rode the keen eyed stranger, and the two Federals sped on- 
ward in the opposite direction, intent upon putting as many 
miles as possible between themselves and the man who had sus- 
pected their true character. They walked five miles at a rapid 
pace, without meeting anj^one, save here and there a party of 
children on their way to school. These they dared not question 
for fear that the circumstances be related at home, and the par- 
ents led to suspect the questioners. The only class of persons of 
whom they dared inquire was the negroes, and at last they met a 
colored man. He proved to be a valuable acquaintance, furnish- 
ing much information which was really necessary. He told them 
where the pickets were and how to evade them; and he told 
them where they would find another friend — a free negro. This 
man had been left in charge of a large house by the owner, and 
gladly sheltered the escaj^ing Federals for the night, providing 
them with fire and food. 



An Escape from Libhy. 385 

How soon their absence would be discovered, or whether they 
would be pursued, they of course did not know; but their anx- 
iety to reach the Federals lines was doubled by the fear of being 
overtaken and conveyed back to Libby. Only a few hours, then, 
did they spend in the mansion whose owner would never have 
e«tertained such as they; and then the}- were on their way again 
at daylight. 

Danger threatened again; for they were hardly out of sight 




In Hiding. 

before they saw a squad of cavalry approaching. But trusting 
that they themselves had not been seen or noticed, and guided 
by their black friend, they struck into the woods that bordered 
the road. The troopers rode on by their hiding-place, little 
dreaming what a prize was within their very grasp ; the escaped 
prisoners made their best time for a full half mile, but finding 
that their first conjecture was right, and that they were not pur- 
sued, they slackened their pace to a rate that they could keep 
up under ordinary circumstances. Still, they dared not venture 
back to the road, for fear that others would be keener-eyed or 
less unsuspicious. Their colored host soon left them, but occa- 
sionally they still sought out a negro cabin that they might ask 
about the way; and by this means learned of many by-paths of 



386 An Escape from Llbby. 

which only those well acquainted with the country could know. 

The same friendly, dusky hands pointed the way to ashelterat 
night; and brought out a homely store of sweet potatoes and 
corn-dodgers for their refreshment and sustenance. Bright and 
early the next morning they were again on the way, although 
they were obliged to travel still in the woods and lost much time 
by mistaking their route. Being now in the space between the 
lines of the two armies, they were in danger of meeting with 
Confederate scouts, w^ho would be likely to recapture them. 
They did indeed see several of such parties, but being on the 
alert, managed to evade them. 

Oyer a rough road, through almost impenetrable forests and 
swamps, they toiled painfully on, fearing every moment that 
they might hear the ominous summons to halt from some enemy 
half-hidden among the thick trees. At last, however, they 
reached the place where they had been told that they would find 
shelter for the night. Would it be the last night? Their in- 
formants, kept ignorant through generations of servitude, and 
long ages of savagery preceding slavery, could not judge accur- 
ately of numbers or distances ; could not tell how long it might 
be before they should reach that haven of safety, a Federal 
picket post. Their present host, however, was perhaps more 
intelligent, perhaps had more often been over the route j he 
assured them that they were seven miles from the Federal lines. 

Their hearts leaped as they heard his words, and they felt almost 
that they must go on; but they were footsore and weary, almost 
fainting from lack of food and from their long journey. Then, 
too, they were almost as safe as if they were fairly within the 
lines ; and they concluded to rest for the night. They were fed 
and lodged, then, by this kind friend, who went with them two 
miles on their journey the next morning, leaving them grate- 
fully to trudge the rest of their yvaj. 

"Hey, Johnny," cried a picket, as they came in sight; "get- 
ting tired, 'cause we don't let you alone ?" 

"We're not deserters," replied Purdum, "but escaped prison- 
ers from Libb3^" 

]N"or were they the less welcome because they were not desert- 
ers from the Confederate Army, as the pickets had at first sup- 
posed them to be. They were duly escorted to camp, and made 
much of; for every man that escaped from Libby in those days 
was, in the eyes of his friends, a hero, hardly second to the man 
who captured a battle-tlag from the enemy. 



i 



j:;haptei^ 7/7^1- 



A DANGEROUS MISSION. 

Necessity for Trusty Messenger — Col. Baker Volunteers — Dispatches Delivered — 
Dange^ Ahead — Worse and More of It — The "VVliole Confederate Army — A 
Break in the Column — Dashes Through — Pursued — Difficulties — Stratagem — 
Success — A Close Contest — Bull Eun — The Stream is Crossed — Escape of 
Messenger. 

CAEEYHsTGr dispatches between the two parts of an army is 
one of the most perilous, as it is one of the most necessary 
branches of service, during time of war. The partisan has, usu- 
ally, the advantage of a perfect knowledge of the country in 
which he is to operate, and can often elude his pursuers by 
means of some feature of it of which they are ignorant; but the 
bearer of dispatches must often trust to the information which 
others give him ; his mission must be performed with speed; 
and if the enemy be made aware of, or even suspect his presence, 
the capture of his papers immediately becomes the thing most 
earnestly desired. 

When Gen. Pope retreated before Lee's army in the fall of 
1863, and Gen. Banks, without being aware of the extent of the 
disaster, had left the Shenandoah Yalley in order to effect a 
junction with him, it became highly essential that the War De- 
partment at Washington should communicate to Banks imforma- 
tion of the dangers that lay before him. Two messengers were 
successively dispatched; the first was captured; the second 
penetrated some distance into the enemy's country, but returned 
before he had accomplished his mission, saying it was a greater 
risk than he was prepared to take. The danger was becoming 
greater, the necessity more urgent, every hour. In this dilem- 
ma, Secretary Stanton sent for Col. Baker, the Chief of the Ka- 
25 387 



388 A Dangerous Mission. 

tional Detective Service, and, ■when he arrived, asked him: 

" Have you any reliable man who will undertake to carry dis- 
patches to Gen. Banks?" 

The chief thought rapidly over the men in the service — nearly 
or quite four hundred in number j but no ono seemed available. 
Hardly a moment had elapsed before he was ready to answer: 

*' If you. will get the dispatches ready sir I will see that an 
attempt is made to deliver them." 

More, of course, he could not positively promise, but the Sec- 
retary knew his man, and was satisfied. A time was set when 
the papers should be prepared, and the subordinate retired to fit 
himself out for the journey Of course, the most important 
thing was a fleet horse; and once provided with this, his prepar- 
ations were soon completed. Concealing the dispatches next his 
skin, he set out on his lonely journey. Leaving the capital at 
six in the evening, he reached Gen. McDowell's headquarters 
after a few hours' ride; but such was the confusion into which 
everything had been thrown, that the horse he desired could not 
be furnished him, and he was obliged to make the whole journey 
on the now wearied animal with which he had been furnished at 
Washington. Through a driving rain, which was welcome be- 
cause it aff'orded a promise of greater security, he rode on, 
reaching Gen. Banks' headquarters at about dawn. 

The dispatches were delivered to the ofiicer, who was as 
anxious to receive them as the Secretary had been to send them ; 
and the messenger was given fresh dispatches to deliver to the 
Department. Disregarding the fact that he had been in the sad- 
dle all night, accomplishing during that space a distance of sixty 
miles, he determined to lose no time in returning. Being now 
sure of the location of the point which he desired to reach, he 
determined to make no circuit, but to ride directly for the Con- 
federate lines. He had not gone far before a dark line on the 
horizon revealed the presence of danger; approaching cautiously, 
yet rapidly, ho found it was the enemy's entire force, marching in 
an easterly direction towards the famous battle-ground of Bull 
Eun. Detachments of infantry, cavalry and artillery occupied the 
whole country ahead of him ; almost the only means of reaching 
his destination was to ride rapidly through one of the spaces be- 
tween two of these squads. 

Of course this was dangerous in the extreme, and no one real- 
ized that it was so, better than the man who was to make the 



A Dangerous Mission. 389 

effort. By making a wide circuit, he might have been able to 
ride around them in safety; but this would take longer than he 
desired to be on the journey ; he preferred to encounter the dan- 
ger, rather than to lose the time. For nearly an hour, from a 
position not more than three hundred yards from the main col- 
umn, he watched for a favorable opportunity to accomplish his 
daring project. At last it presented itself. "With his revolver 
firmly grasped in his right hand, but held in such a way as near- 
ly to conceal it, and guiding his horse with his left hand, he gal- 
loped at full speed towards a break in the column. At first, the 
Confederates were uncertain as to who he might be, or what might 
be his errand ; possibly he was one of their own men, sent on 
some mission, and now desirous of gaining his command ; an aid 
with orders from the general; a messenger from Jackson or 
some other oflficer. But when, after reaching the opening, he 
galloped straight onward past the column, his movements be- 
came suspicious, and a dozen voices commanded him to halt. 
The summons was of course unheeded ; it thus became certain 
that he was an enemy, and many of the soldiers fired after him. 
This was no more than he expected, and he was prepared for it. 
Bending low upon the neck of his horse, he urged the tired animal 
onward while the bullets whistled above his head. Thus protect- 
ed by his position, the only evil- that could befall him was an 
injury to his horse ; but fortunately this was escaped. 

He was not out of sight before a cavalry squad of forty came 
up with the body of infantry whose shots he had escaped, 
and was ordered in pursuit. Matters had now become serious, 
for his horse was jaded with the long night ride, while theirs 
were probably comparatively fresh; then, too, the immense dis- 
proportion of numbers would make it next to impossible for him 
to baffle pursuit. The Confederates, however, were not aware 
that he had on his person dispatches from Gen. Banks to the 
Secretary of War; and when the chase had continued for about 
a mile, and appeared more unavailing than ever, they began to 
be discouraged. One after another they departed, discharging 
a farewell shot as they went, until only six or eight were left. 

The few remaining pursuers were all well mounted, and rode 
on as if they enjoyed the chase. They were too far in the rear 
to fire with any certainty of hitting the mark, and not wishing 
to cause further delay by stopping to load, held their fire until 
some better opportunity should offer. It was as exciting a race 



390 A. Dangerous Mission. 

as the patrons of the turf ever witnessed; now they rode neck 
and neck j now one gained on the others — one length, two, half- 
a-dozen, only to be in turn distanced. Far before them was the 
prize — they knew not what; but the pleasure of the chase was 
sufficient to recompense them if it proved valueless, and mean- 
while they escaped the necessity of marching soberly along with 
the column. 

The tired horse in the van seemed to understand the necessity 
of making the best possible time, and put forth his utmost speed. 
There was no time for choice of roads ; the Federal lines must 
be reached as soon as possible; the only guide which the rider 
has is the sun overhead ; he must keep in the direction whence 
that is coming, turning a little to the north. His haste led him 
into a thicket which proved nearly impassable for his horse; and 
while he was endeavoring to disentangle himself from this diffi- 
culty, his foremost pursuer gained rapidly upon him. Only 
twenty paces separate them as the Confederate, rising in his stir- 
rups and bending forward, fires ; but the shot misses him, as the 
others have done; and having now passed the obstructed part 
of the road, he flies onward, consoling himself with the reflec- 
tion that his pursuers will be delayed as long as he has been. 

Regardless of everything but the necessity of putting as great 
a distance as possible between himself and the Southerners, he 
dashes on at his utmost speed, only to find himself, in a few mo- 
ments, floundering in a mud-hole in the midst of the road. It 
seemed that the rain which had sheltered him from observation 
during his night's ride was to lead to his capture in daytime. 
He was still laboring under this difficulty, unable to proceed at 
any other pace than a walk, when the Confederates, extricating 
themselves from the thicket through which he had led them, 
came dashing onward, uttering that shrill cry familiarly known 
as the "Rebel yell." Onward, onward, closer and closer, until 
they judge it a certain aim ; then the pistol shots ring out. But 
he again escapes unscathed, and once more, being safely over the 
deepest mud, rides up the slope, which is comparatively dry. 

His chances grew better and better as time went on, for only 
four of the cavalrymen had continued the chase so far. The 
odds now were still great, but not so overwhelming as at first. 
Trusting to escape by sheer fleetness, he urged his horse to 
greater and greater speed, and for nine miles allowed no slack- 
ening. But he was sensible that he was fast approaching the 



A Dangerous Mission. 



391 



limit of equine endurance; the dark coat of his horse was shin- 
ing with perspiration, and flecked with foam. It was impossi- 
ble, then, for him to get away from them but by stratagem. His 
thoughts were busy as he rode on, laying a plan by which to 
elude them. 

His scheme perfected in his own mind, he soon found a place 
to put it in execution. Making one last, desperate effort, he 
reached thebiow of a small hill far in advance of the others, and 




A Shot fro7n the Thicket. 

arrived at the foot before they gained the summit. Hastily dis- 
mounting, he concealed himself and his horse in a dense thicket 
near the road. 

He had hardly time to do so, before the foremost pursuer had 
gained the top of the hill. Suspecting no stratagem, the Confed- 
erate dashed onward at his former speed, closely followed by 
his comrades. Down the slope of the hill, past the group of 
young pines where the object of the chase was hidden, and out 
of sight. But he was not yet safe. A turn in the road, a swell 
ofthe ground, might have hidden him from their eyes for a few 
moments, but he must soon come in sight. They reached the 



392 A Dangerous Mission. 

top of the hill beyond the hollow where he was concealed j thoio 
was a long stretch of level road from its foot, straight as if 
drawn by a ruler; on either side there was a grassy margin, 
brown with the approach of winter; the remains of a snake 
fence, separated the fields from the common road, except where 
long stretches of it had furnished material for camp fires; but 
saving the bushes that grew in the place of the fence, there was 
no sort of shelter for the fugitive, who could not have gained so 
much time as to be out of sight. 

Three of the pursuers, not stopping to consider these facts, 
perhaps forgetful of eveiything but the temporary freedom from 
military restraint, dashed onward ; the fourth, more cautious, 
saw that there was no use in seeking their chase before them; 
he must be behind them. Wheeling his horse, then, the Con- 
federate rode slowly back, carefully examining every place that 
seemed at all promising. 

Perj)lexed by the mysterious disappearance, he had searched 
so many coverts unsuccessfully that he was about to give it up 
in disgust. Just as he seemed most inclined to do so, however, 
a slight movement in a thicket about thirty yards off attracted 
his attention. 

" There's a horse, there, sure as you're born," he muttered to 
himself; though he was a fool to hide so near the road, and" — 

His hand dropped towards his carbine, when whistling through 
the boughs came a pistol-shot. His horse reared and plunged 
forward; the rider swayed a moment in his saddle, and then fell 
heavily to the ground. 

Dropping his pistol to his side. Col. Baker sprang into his 
saddle. With evident effort the wounded man raised himself 
trying again to get his carbine into position, but sank again to 
the ground as a second bullet struck him. Of course his com- 
panions would return, on hearing the shots, to learn their mean- 
ing; there was no time to be lost. Dashing off at right angles to 
the road, Col. Baker endeavored to mislead his enemies ; but they 
came back in less time than he had anticipated, and seeing him, 
again gave chase. The excitement of the race grew greater and 
greater. Despite the rest in the pine thicket, he feared that it 
would bo simply a question of endurance, and his horse was nearly 
exhausted. Even now they were within range, as the bullet which 
whistled by him attested ; even now, glancing back at them, he 
could see the grim determination in their faces and bearing. 




i 



A Dangerous Mission. 395 

They had seen their companion slain by his hand; they would 
take him, dead or alive. 

Every minute was valuable ; every minute brought him near- 
er to safety ; safety, not for himself only, but for the dispatches 
of which he was the bearer. At last that famous stream, which 
had seen and given name to two battles, Bull Eun, was seen in 
the distance. The farther side, he knew, was the Federal pick- 
et line. Could he reach it ? It was extremely doubtful, for the 
banks rose to some height above the little river, and while cross- 
ing it he would be exposed to the bullets of the three Confederates. 

" One more effort, good horse, and you can rest." 

Obedientl}^ to his urging, the horse dashed onward more wild- 
ly than ever. Eapidly he gained upon them — can he reach the 
farther side before they reach this ? The stream is gained ; he 
plunges into the current; it is not far to swim, for the river is 
but eight or ten yards wide. Despite the swiftness of the current, 
the distance is soon accomplished, and horse and rider are on the 
level bank. But above this rises the hill on which the pickets 
are placed; its side is almost perpendicular, from the narrow 
strip of flat ground to the summit. Yet the top must be gained, 
and that before the pursuers have emerged from the woods just 
the other side of Bull Eun. 

The danger increases as time goes on, and the horse has made 
but ineffectual efforts to scale the height. He can hear the 
shouts of his pursuers as they encourage each other and urge 
their steeds onward. Nearer and nearer they come. 

" Try it again, old boy; try it just once more," he said to the 
noble animal that he bestrode, as he patted its neck encourag- 
ingly. Thus incited, the horse, with one desperate spring, gain- 
ed the top of the bank, and planted his feet firmly on the turf 
A shot whistled over the waters, and buried itself in the earth 
beneath them. They were safe at last, but not a moment too 
soon. 

"What's the matter?" cried the pickets, running forward; 
while the officer in command more decorously demanded an ex- 
planation. 

" I have dispatches to the Secretary of War from Gen. Banks, 
and have been chased by the Eebels." 

Grlancing at the stream, they saw a horse and rider struggling 
in the current, in a vain endeavor to reach the shore; instantly 
four or five carbines vQre raised, there was one rejiort, and the 



396 A Dangerous Mission. 

bullets wcro speeding towards the horseman. His struggles 
ceased; and horse and rider were borne onward by the swift 
current, leaving behind them a trail of blood. 

His companions reached the edge of the wood just in time to 
see the scene as we have described it; the dead Confederate in 
the water, the group of soldiers in blue uniforms on the opposite 
bluff; and deeming, in such circumstances, that discretion was 
the better part of valor, wheeled and disappeared in the woods. 

Mounting his horse once more. Col. Baker rode towards 
"Washington at a somewhat more leisurely pace than that lately 
used, which might have been termed breakneck speed. Arriv- 
ing there at 3 P. M., he delivered the dispatches, having been in 
the saddle twenty-one hours, during which time he had accom- 
plished a distance of no less than one hundred and twenty-four 
miles. Utterly prostrated by the long journey, rider and horse 
required a long period of rest and careful treatment. 



A BREAK FOR LIBERTY. 

The Old Prison— Efforts to Escape— Col. Kose's Tunnel— A False Alarm— Hor- 
rors of the "Dead Cellar" — Capt. Moran Finds the Passage — The Entrance to 
the Tunnel — Comrades — Into the Upper Air Again — Out of the City — Pur- 
sued — Separation — The Swamp — Surrounded — A Dash for Liberty — Into the 
Enemy's Arms — Back to Libby. 

ON one of the back streets of the city of Eichmond, Ya., 
there stands a huge, time-worn brick building, originally 
intended for a tobacco warehouse, and fulfilling that purpose for 
a number of years; now used as a fertilizing manufactory. Not 
a promising structure for the pen of historian or novelist, you 
will say; but there is another part to its history; and if those 
old brick walls had tongues as well as ears, what stories they 
could tell ! Even as it is, they bear mute testimony that they 
are not like others of their kind. In this contracted space about 
the building, the stones are worn by the feet of sleepless senti- 
nels pacing to and fro, keeping guard over the men who peered 
wistfully from the windows above, whence the iron bars have 
never been removed. Beneath that frowning portal passed 
many a man in the full pride of health and youth; the doors 
clanged shut, the key turned grating in the lock, the bolts 
were drawn ; and he never again beheld the unobstructed light 
of day. 

Men have passed days, months, even years, here, with nothing 
to do but to wait. Dream after dream of home has mocked 
both sleeping and waking hours, till hope of either peace or ex- 
change has seemed a delusive and perpetual mirage. How 
weary a task it was, no tongue, not even their own, could tell. 
Look at t^*^e floor from which that heap of fertilizer has been but 

397 



398 A Break for Liberty. 

this moment removed ; there is a slight memento of those long 
days — a checkerboard drawn with ink upon the wood j but the 
buttons and beans with which they played have vanished, like 
that dreadful time, twenty years ago. 

Nor was theirs a passive endurance of their fate 3 many of 
them escaped; from that window half a dozen of them swung 
to the ground, and, with the guard, who had aided them, suc- 
ceeded in reaching their friends. Even that simple iron ring in 
the ceiling has its story ; for when another party resolved upon 
a similar eifort, and found they had been betrayed to the guards 
by one of their own comrades, it was to this ring that the baffled 
and infuriated men hanged the traitor. Many a story could the 
grim walls tell, of hope, and patience, and despair; for this was 
Libby Prison. 

It is not our purpose to enter into a minute description of prison 
life at any of the places used for the purpose of securing their 
prisoners of war by the military authorities, Federal or Confed- 
erate, during the " late onpleasantness." For while, in either 
case, the picture would to some appear grossly overdrawn, to 
others it would seem that only the rudest outline had been 
sketched. We prefer, then, to leave such subjects to the pens of 
those who wish to write about them, and confine ourselves to 
the indisputable fact that, however perfcdt places of residence 
the various military prisons may have been, those confined in 
them were always anxious to escajie whenever opportunity 
offered. 

In the basement of the building there may still be seen traces 
of the tunnel by which sixty-one prisoners on one night regained 
freedom; and it is of an episode of this, one of the most notable 
and extensive escapades of the whole war, that we will now give 
the particulars. 

After many fruitless attempts by the prisoners to excavate a 
tunnel, through which to effect their escape, a working party of 
fourteen, who were to relieve each other regularly, was organ- 
ized under Col. Rose. Having lifted the bottom of the fireplace 
in the cook room and removed the bricks from the back of the 
flue, they penetrated between the floor joists under the end room, 
used as a hospital, into the cellar. An opening about two feet by 
eighteen inches was commenced in the wall near the northeast 
corner of the cellar. With no tools but their pocket knives, they 
cut through the piles on which the building was supported. 



400 



A Break for Liberty. 




1 



A Break for Liberty, 401 

Having penetrated into the earth, they experienced great diffi- 
culty from their candles, which would' not burn for want of air 
in the tunnel, compelling one of the party to stand at the open- 
ing and fan with his hat. The tunnel slanted downward for a 
distance of about twelve feet, then upward for about the same 
distance, and was nearly level the remaining distance. It was so 
narrow in some places that to pass through it was necessary to 
lie flat on one's face and be propelled by the hands and feet. A 
slight error was made in the computation of the distance, and 
thinking they had reached the inclosure, they dug up to the sur- 
face; but soon discovered that they had come out in the street, 
within but a few yards of the sentinels. Quickly filling up the 
hole with a pair of old pants and some straw, they continued their 
digging a few feet further to the desired spot under a shed in the 
yard of the warehouse. They then dug to the surface and drew 
an empty hogshead over the opening to conceal it in the day 
time. The only implements used in this arduous work were a 
large chisel and a wooden spit-box from one of the rooms above, 
to convey earth in ; cords were attached to this box by which it 
was drawn out by the assistants when filled ; the earth and gravel 
were then carefully concealed under some straw and rubbish. 
It was the night of Feb. 8th, 1864, that the tunnel was completed. 
The men crawled into it, and many had emerged at the other 
end, when the alarm was given that the guards were coming. 
Hastily, the hundreds who had crowded about the mouth of the 
tunnel rushed back to their cells, there to assume such an air of 
innocence as would prevent their being punished for complicity 
in the escape of their comrades. Sixty-one had entered the long, 
dark passage, and finally worked their way to liberty; many of 
them being sheltered close by the city, by a lady whose loyalty 
to the Confederacy had never been questioned; hidden in her 
house and grounds until it was safe for them to continue their 
flight. 

But the cry of "guards" was a false alarm, and before long 
several of those who had been so hastily scattered had again 
bent their steps towards the tunnel. Among those who had not 
reached this point at the time that the stampede took place was 
Captain Frank E. Moran, of the 73rd New York. The news of 
the completion of the tunnel, once divulged to any of those who 
had not been directly concerned in it, had spread like wildfire, 
and when the alarm was given it had found men at various dis- 



402 



A Break for Liberty. 



tances from the same goal. The tidings, with a few brief direc- 
tions how to proceed, had but just reached Capt. Moran when the 
hasty retreat commenced. He, then, had really lost but little 
time, and as soon as all was again quiet he proceeded on his way. 
The first point to be made was the fireplace. Beyond the 
jagged edge of the opening there was nothing to be seen but 
darkness — rayless, impenetrable, slimy to the touch as the skin 
of a snake. But he was not a man to fear darkness, or the Pow- 
ers of Darkness, when escape from prison was to be accomplish- 



LIBBV PRISON 




Diagram of Tunnel. 

ed, and without a moment's hesitation he squeezed himself 
through the aperture. Once past the portion that could be 
seen from the room, he found himself in a slightly larger pas- 
sage, which slanted downward from the back of the fireplace, 
through the chimney to the cellar. 

He arrived at the end of the incline, and found, at first, no- 
thing — absolutely nothing but the thick darkness. After a 
moment's groping for something which would enable him to 
continue the descent — for he was fast losing his hold on the 
slight projections of rock in the j)assage — he grasped a strip of 
one of the rough army blankets. That, he knew, was the means 
of farther descent; and soon his whole weight hung on it. As 
his arms stretched upward, his shoulders, which he had severely 
bruised in squeezing into the narrow opening of the fireplaccj 



A Break for Liberty. 403 

gave him exquisite pain; but, disregarding this, he let himself 
cautiously down to the end of the blanket rope, and stretched 
his feet downward to feel for the floor. 

But though he held to the very end of the rope and stretched 
every muscle in the effort to touch the ground, it was still be- 
neath his reach. A moment he hung there, uncertain how fur 
he must fall, or on what kind of a surface; dreading lest he 
should come down with a noise that would alarm the guard; 
sure of nothing but that he could not go back, and could not 
long hang there. It was but a moment, and yet many thoughts 
passed through his brain — to fall and dislocate his ankle or 
break his leg, as he might do; to lie there, helpless and alone, 
in the darkness and. dampness of that fetid cellar; to die there 
of hunger and thirst, and to be lost forever from the records of 
mankind — ! Still, having come this far, there was nothing to 
do but to drop, and drop he did. 

Everything had been carefully arranged by the daring spirits 
that had planned the escape; and although the blanket rope 
was so short that a man, holding to the end of it, could not touch 
the floor, the latter had been thickly strewn with straw. Capt. 
Moran's melancholy anticipations, then, were quickly dispelled 
as he alighted on the soft bed that broke his fall. Yet so great 
was the height from which he had dropped, that he rolled over 
and over, still upon the straw, before he could regain his feet. 
As he fell, he became acquainted with the fact that the cellar 
was not uninhabited. A hundred rats, it seemed, ran squealing 
from him ; and, as he rolled over, it appeared as if the cellar was 
literally alive with them. As he rose, they scampered about 
him; and he could hardly set his foot down without causing a 
commotion among them. 

This, of course, was a small affair ; but as it flashed across his 
mind that this was the "dead cellar" to which the bodies of 
those who died in the hospital directly over it were removed to 
await the rude burial, a feeling of unutterable loathing took pos- 
session of him. How many times had these vermin climbed over 
the coffins of his comrades, how manj^ times had they with filthy, 
ghoulish instinct; ::triven to get at the horrible feast within the 
rough pi no box ? 

He had been told that the opening to the tunnel was in the wall 
of this cellar, and now groped his way along until his hands 
came in contact with the masonry dripping as if with blood. The 
2fi 



404 



A Break for Liberty. 



eye, after a time, heeomes accustomed to any ordinary obscurity, 
and we are able to discern objects with some degree of distinct- 
ness. But so intense, so perfect was this darkness, that the eye 
seemed to have lost the sense of sight; no length of time spent 
in it could dilate the pupil enough for it to receive a single ray 
of light. The soldier could only feel his way along the slim}' 
wall, the very touch of which was enough to send a shudder 
through the stoutest frame. 

In this way he reached the corner of the room, and feeling 
sure that he must have missed the entrance to the tunnel, paused 




In ilc Df id C Urn 

a moment to listen, for he thought he might hear some signal 
from his comrades. Not a sound but the squealing of the rats 
and the rustling which they made in scampering over the 
straw. He felt his wa}^ back, stopping at every step, lest he 
might miso some faint call. The thoughts that had come before 
were but the excited dreams of an organization almost worn 
out by close confinement and poor diet, and suddenly roused 
by the hope of escape; but his thoughts now were from a deeper 
source — the workings of a mind accustomed to recover its bal 
ance easily. Yet they were far more terrible than any of the 
nervous shudderings. Suppose he should not find the entrance to 
the passage-way. He must remain here, for there was no possibil- 



A Break for Liberty. 405 

ity of retreat ; he could not reach the rope, even if he could find 
the point in the floor exactly beneath it. Perhaps a numbness 
would creep over him, and, while still conscious of the horror of 
his fate, he would be unable to resist the thousands of vermin 
whose sharp teeth would tear the quivering flesh from his bones. 
But, whether a living man or a bleaching skeleton, he would in- 
evitably be discovered when the corpse of the next victim of life 
in Libby should be borne thither to await its burial; and that 
meant the discovery of the tunnel, the passage to freedom, for 
which his companions had worked so long, and which would be 
used by so many if not detected by the guards. 

Should he be the cause of its detection? Surely, if he were, 
the blood of all who died in that loathsome place would be upon 
his head; and mothers and wives in their far I^orthern homes 
would execrate the wretch whose blunders had prevented the 
escape of their beloved ones from Libby. The thought of such 
a fate as he had first conjured up had chilled the very blood in 
his veins, brave soldier as he was ; but now this idea sent it cours- 
ing back like fire to all parts of his body, inciting him to yet an- 
other eff'ort to find the mouth of the tunnel. 

Hours after hours passed away and he trod a limitless dun- 
geon, whose wall, drij:)ping and slimy, extended in one unbroken 
stretch for miles. His limbs grew weaker with the long jour- 
ney, while the shrill treble of the harpies about him grew sharp- 
er and more triumphant. At last his hand came to a break in 
the wall, and he awoke from his horrible dream, awoke to know 
that he had walked but a few feet from the corner, and that it 
was scarcely ten minutes since he had loosed his hold on the 
blanket-rope. 

He stooped and put his hand towards the aperture ; it came in 
contact with a pair of heels, which were suddenly drawn away at 
his touch. 

"Who's there?" asked a low voice, which came from the tun- 
nel as deep and hollow as if from a grave. 

"Moran, of the Grettysburg room. Who are you?" 
"Morgan, from the Chickamauga room. Are the Rebs com-- 
ing?" 

"ITo. Go ahead, so there'll be room for me." 
Morgan scrambled on, sending a shower of dirt into Koran's 
eyes, and was closely followed bj^'the new comer. The passage 
through which they were making their way was about two feet 



406 A Break for Liberty. 

in diameter, on an average, and was extremely irregular in its 
course. Now ascending, now descending, they crawled on along 
the cold and clammy sides of the tunnel, through air that was so 
heavy and foul as to almost suffocate them. 

" 0-oh !" groaned Morgan. 

"What's the matter?" 

"Oh, my leg's cramped fearfully. I'll have to stop a minute." 

"Try to crawl on can't you? We'll smother if we stay here." 

"I cant— o-oh!" 

" Will it help you to take your shoe off?" 

"Maybe so, but I can't get at it — o-oli !" 

"Which leg is it?" 

"The left." 

"All right; I'll take the shoe off." 

"Bring it along, though ; I can't afford to lose it." 

This, of course, only added to Moran's difficulties; though, in 
saying so, we have no wish to insinuate anything in regard to 
the size of Capt. Morgan's foot; under such circumstances, the 
slightest thing was a drawback; and Moran, with his bruised 
shoulder, had much difficulty in working his way along what 
seemed to be an endless passage. The entrance and exit of the 
tunnel were about seven!}' feet apart; but as it had been neces- 
sary to changethe level quite frequently, they really had to crawl 
a much greater distance. 

At last, a ray of light, just bright enough to make the darkness 
yet more visible, diffused itself about them, and, as they crawled 
slowly on, it grew stronger and stronger. They were ncaring 
the end of the tunnel. At last they had reached it. Morgan clam- 
bered out, and extended his hand to his companion; who, thu;; 
assisted, was soon once more in the open air. Words cannot tell 
the relief they felt on emerging from the stifling atmosjihero 
and pitchy darkness of the tunnel, and again drew deep breaths 
of pure air. What had seemed such bright light when seen 
from the underground passage-way was now perceived to be 
nothing but the faint gleam of the stars, and the uncertain flick- 
ering of the lamps of the city and the prison. It was enough, 
however, to serve their purpose, and more would have been dan' 
gerous. 

They were about seventy feet from the east wall of the prison, 
in a yard between two large buildings, one on the northern, one 
on the southern side. In the prison yard they could see the sen- 



A Break for Liberty. 407 

tinels pacing to and fro, and even, as they passed under the 
flaring lamps, distinguish tbeir features. But there was no time 
to watch the guards. Moran looked suspiciously at a third man 
in this inclosure, but his doubts were dispelled when Morgan in- 
troduced the stranger as Lieut. Watson, of his own company and 
regiment, the Twenty-first "Wisconsin. The three drew together 
into the shelter of a shadow, and.held a whispered consultation 
as to what was to be done next. 

The space in which they stood was inclosed on three sides, 
opening on the fourth to the street. The prison Avas on the west, 
the two other buildings on the north and south ; the}' could only 
proceed, then, in an easterly direction. After a few moments' 
counsel together, the three Federals removed their shoes, in 
order that they might walk with less noise, and, if pursued, run 
faster. In accordance with their plans, Lieut. "Watson was the 
first to emerge from the deep shadow in which they stood ; and 
as he walked down the street he was followed, at an interval of 
about two minutes, by Morgan. Moran, standing in the shadow, 
watched the guards and the retreating forms of his comrades 
alternatel}'. Once the two Confederates drew together, and, to 
the anxious eyes of the solitary Federal, seemed to have seen 
the two men walking down the street; but it was a false alarm, 
for they separated in a moment, and each went back to his own 
proper place. 

At last Morgan had had the start upon which they had agreed, 
and Moran followed as swiftly and noiselessly as the others had 
gone. The rendezvous was at the second corner, and from this 
point they went on together for some distance, directing their 
steps, of course, towards the confines of the cit}'. The huge grim 
warehouses that had at first surrounded them had been left far 
behind, and the cottages were far more thinl}' scattered than had 
been the houses which they first passed. Gradually, the streets 
lost the air of frequent use, and became mere country roads. 
Thus stealing along, from shadow to shadow, the three fugitives 
were beyond the limits of the Confederate capital. 

It was nearly the end of the long winter night; indeed, for 
many men it was already the end, when a sound of fearful sig- 
nificance was heard — the measured tread of horses' feet. There 
was a moment's hasty consultation, and they agreed to separate; 
to conceal themselves until after the pursuers had passed, and 
then to follow in their wake towards a certain densely wooded 



408 A Break for Liberty. 

swamp, where they would again unite. Hardly had this been 
done than they scattered, in accordance with the agreement, 
each man to find a hiding-place for himself. 

Everj^thing worked well, and the Confederates soon rode by, 
little dreaming what prey was within a few steps of them. Once 
they were out of sight, the Federals crept cautiously out from 
their places of concealment and made their way, by three difl'or- 
ent routes, to the rendezvous in the swamp. It was by this time 
broad day, and no time was to be lost in gaining the friend I3' 
shelter of the forest. Moran followed directly on the trail of the 
Confederates, and soon came to the border of a field whence he 
could command a view to the north full half a mile in extent. 
The Confederates, whom he had been following closely, had dis- 
appeared, leaving no trace of their course. There was no place 
where they could have found shelter, except a small farm house, 
a thousand yards away, which they could not possibly have 
reached in that space of time. 

The field rose like an island out of the densely wooded swamp 
through a portion of which he had already come, and much of 
which lay beyond the patch of dry ground. What could have 
become of the horsemen whom he had been following? They 
must have deployed along some cross-road whose existence was 
unknown to him, in order to surround the swamp, and thus 
effectually prevent the escape of the fugitives. In order to get 
away by the route that they would least suspect, Capt. Moran 
turned and ran back along the very path by which he had ad- 
vanced ; hoping, by avoiding the swamp altogether, to elude 
their grasp. 

But he had not taken a dozen steps, when he found that his 
movements were watched by the concealed enemy. A long, clear 
whistle to his right was answered by a similar one from the 
opposite side. What was his horror to see that his two com- 
panions had mistaken these signals of the enemy for his own; 
and now, in answer to them, came running into the open space 
from the woods that had concealed them from his view ! 

But he had no tiine to lament that others had run into danger; 
his own peril was too pressing. The long, clear whistles were 
repeated all around him, as the sound of a bugle is sent back and 
forth a dozen times b}' the rocky cliffs that line the valley. He 
could hear the crash of the thick underbrush as the dismounted 
troopers forced their way through it as soon as they heard the 



A Break for Liberty. 409 

order to close up. He stood still a moment, like a stag at bay, 
while the "dogs of war" were ready to spring at his throat; 
then bounded off toward what seemed to be an avenue of escape. 

No sound had as yet been heard from the east, the direction in 
which lay Eichmond; and that was the way by which he hoped 
to escape. With desjierate energy he summoned all his powers 
of speed, and dashed along towards the rising sun. The treach- 
erous bog gave way beneath his weight, for he had no time to 
pick his steps or hunt a path. The earth clung to his shoes, and 
one was left in the mire. The other was hastily wrenched from 
his foot and east aside, that there might be nothing to retard 
him. At last his way crossed a cow-path, trodden hard ; and 
along this better road he made better time. One of the huge 
foresttrees had been felled by the storms of that winter, and lay 
directly across his path ; upon the great trunk he leaped, then 
down again to the ground on the other side. 

His shoeless feet had fallen silently on the path as he advanced; 
when he bounded ujJon the tree, then, he startled the very Con- 
federate who had been posted behind the trunk to keep a look- 
out for the prisoners; the Reb, a burly giant, jumped up, and, 
without pausing to see or question the newcomer, took to his 
heels, leaving his carbine leaning against the tree. The Federal, 
not taking time to secure the weapon, which, indeed, would have 
only been an incumbrance, dashed on. The gray-jacket stum- 
bled and fell flat; the blue-coat leaped across his prostrate body 
and plunged on, only to find three carbines presented at his 
breast, and to hear the ominous command to " halt!" in his ears. 

"Surrender!" bellowed the fallen hero, as he picked himself 
up. But the three who had stood their ground greeted him with 
such a peal of mocking laughter that he retreated almost as sud- 
denly as he had come. To the Federal, however, it was no laugh- 
ing matter, for the three Confederates were sufficiently in earn- 
est to secure their prisoner. 

The party now drew together, and Moran found that his hopes 
of the escape of his comrades had been doomed to disapjDoint- 
ment; for they had been taken while he was making the last 
desperate effort to regain his liberty. The}' could do nothing 
but condole with each other, and await the pleasure of their cap- 
tors. As these were soldiers, and not prison guards, the retaken 
prisoners were kindly treated ; Moran's shoes were hunted up 
for him, and all three were fed liberally from the haversacks of 



410 A Break for Lihnijj. 

their captors. But though they were half famished by the un- 
wonted exertion, and the keen air of the winter morning was 
enough to wliet the hunger of any others, the appetite of these 
were dulled by the thought that in a few hours more they would 
again be confined within the walls of Libby Prison. 

The Confederates informed the prisoners that they had hardly 
hoped to find them in the swamp ; and that a start of one hour 
more would probably have insured their escape, as they were 
when retaken, outside of the Confederate lines, and almost with- 
in sight of the smoke from the Federal picket fires. But all this, 
of course, was slight consolation to the poor fellows who had 
tried so hard to escape. 



ADVENTURES OE AN ARTEUL DODGER. 

The Scout's Errand — His Force — Mode of Proceeding — A Bivouac in the Wood= 
— Salt Mule and Sheet-iron Crackers — A Kude Awakening — "LetMeDrean' 
Again " — Not So Fast Asleep as the Enemy Thought — Flight — Surroundeo 
— Concealed — Discovered — The Difficulty of Elding a Mule — ^Where is He* 
— Nowhere — Safe. 

AMONG the scouts attached to Gen. " Jeb" Stuart's division 
was one who shall be known to these pages by the roman- 
tic and uncommon name of Smith. Truth to tell, authorities 
differ much in regard to the spelling of his cognomen, so that 
the initial letter is the only one that appears to be undisputed. 
Now, the directories show that if a man's name begins with "S," 
the probabilities are in favor of Smith against any other one 
appellation; then the scout shall be known to these pages as 
Frank Smith. 

But think not, because the mere form of his name has not been 
perpetuated, that it does not deserve to be remembered. The 
estimation in which he was held by the commanding officer is 
shown by the fact that, although he steadily refused a commis- 
sion, as a partisan officer, lest his freedom of movement might 
be thereby curtailed, he was made the superior of a party of 
three, sent to reconnoiter the Federal camp and forces, then ly- 
ing around Culpepper Court House and Mitchell's Station. Gen. 
Meade had, within the last few days, thrown forward a consider- 
able body of troops to the latter point, and the duty of the 
scouts was mainly to find out the character, strength and destin- 
ation of this force. 

Leaving their horses at a safe distance from the camp, they 
made their way cautiously towards the Station, and by carefull;y 
411 



412 Adventures of an Artful Dodger. 

working around under shelter of every cover that was possibly 
available, they ascertained as much as a mere reconnoissance 
vrould permit. There was only one way in which to obtain 
more information, and that was by questioning prisoners. But 
in order to do this, they must have some prisoners to question. 
All three were skilled in their calling, and had often been on 
such expeditions before, and felt not the slightest doubt of their 
ability, singly or together, to acquire knowledge by this means. 

However, 

" The best kid plans of mice and men 
Gang ai't aglee." 

They lurked about the camp until night drew on; until all the 
duties of the day were done; until taps had sounded, and the 
soldiers, save those whom duty kept awake, were wrapped in 
slumber; but still there was no chance of taking a prisoner. 

"Eeckon we might as well bivouac, boys," said Smith, as they 
met at the rendezvous previously appointed ; " there don't seem 
to be much chance of any fun yet awhile." 

"There was a party of foragers passed within ten feet of me," 
sighed one of his companions, " but there were too many of 
them." 

*' How many ?" asked the second. 

'' Seven," was the repl3\ 

" 'Tisn'tsafe to tackle more than you can easily manage," ob- 
served Smith. "At this little distance from the camp, you might 
have to shoot, and that would bring out a company." 

" Where shall we bivouac ?" 

" Somewhere in the woods. There's a right good place just 
over there to the left; suppose we go there?" 

"All right; let's hurry; I'm tired. Is it a well-sheltered ];)lace? 
It looks mightily like rain." 

" Oh, yes ; its right in a sort of a hollow, with the brush thick 
all around it." 

" How long shall wc wait, Smith ?" 

" About an hour. The stragglers will be getting in about that 
time, and we'll be more alert if we have a rest. Here's the 
place ; how do you like it?" 

" First-rate. Don't you think we could have a fire ?" 

" That was one thing that made me think of coming here ; its 
so far away, and the brush is so thick that they'd never see it at 
the camp, even if it wasn't in the hollow. Wc can keep it from 



Adventures of an Artful Dodger. 413 

blazing too much, and shall be mighty comfortable, all things 
considered." 

The keen air of the November night had benumbed their 
hands and chilled their limbs, and exercise had, of course, been 
impossible. Over the shaded blaze, then, they spread their 
cold fingers, even before they turned their attention to what the 
slang of the time termed salt mule and sheet-iron crackers; but 
which, however undervalued in times of peace and jilcnty, men 
found extremely palatable when nothing else was obtainable, 
and even these articles somewhat scarce. Our scouts, certainly, 
did not object to the bill of fare, nor did they complain because 
a blanket must be their only shelter from the chilly air, the 
ground their only bed. Huddling close together about the fire, 
they were soon fast asleep. 

The hour set apart for rest passed away, but, worn out with 
the day's watching, they did not awake. It is not the least of 
the scout's hardships that there is a constant strain on the nerv- 
ous system, even when he is apparently passively watchful ; and 
for this reason, he is apt, when once he gives himself Up to slum- 
ber, to sleep more soundly than a man engaged in manual labor. 
Hour after hour passed, and still they slept on, quietly as chil- 
dren. Not even the drizzling rain which began to fall as dawn 
approached could awaken them ; had it been a harder shower, 
the discomfort would perhaps have roused them, but it was just 
enough to soak their clothes gradually. 

It was barely daylight when a squad of Federal soldiers ap- 
proached their camp, 

*' Hello! What's this?" exclaimed one of the bluc-coats as they 
came in sight of the sleeping party. 

" 'Sh !" cautioned another, " Don't waken them till we find 
out." 

They drew nearer silently, and perceived the gray uniforms. 
At a signal from the sergeant, every musket was pointed at 
Smith's breast. 

*'Hey, Johnnie Reb," he called, " hadn't you better wake up 
and get in out of the wet?" 

At the first sound that the soldiers had made in cocking their 
muskets, Smith had wakened ; but he saw no chance of escape. 
Looking through his half-closed eyelids he perceived that any 
attempt to reach his pistols would mean six balls in his breast; 
and in order to give himself more time to think, wrapped himself 



414 



Adventures of an Artful Dodger. 



closer in his blanket, and turning over muttered sleepily : 

" O go 'way and let me alone." 

" Pleasant dreams, Johnnie. Maybe you won't find the wake 
up part quite as pleasant." 

But the dreams were all waking ones, and in the brains of the 
Federals; for they were busily imagining his chagrin and morti- 
lication when he should find himself a prisoner; and he, though 
drawing deep and regular breaths as if in slumber, was cautious- 




A Rude Awakening. 
ly moving his hand down, under the blanket, to the pistol at his 
belt. Slowly he drew it from its place, and silently cocked it, 
just as the Federal sergeant said : 

''Well, Johnnie, we've had our fun now, and I guess you'll 
have to get up, whether you like it or not." 

He stooped, as he spoke, and grasping a corner of the Confed- 
erate's blanket, was about to pull it from him, when the pistol 
was discharged, its muzzle touching the breast of his blouse ; and 
without a groan, he fell forward on the Confederate, dead. 
Smith struggled to free himself from this incumbrance, but be- 
fore he could regain his feet the five muskets were discharged at 
him. Fortunately, the sudden death of their comrade had so far 
unsteadiod their nei'ves that their aim was uncertain, and the 
25 



Adventures of an Artful Dodger. 415 

balls buried themselves in the body of their own dead officer. 

The noise of the shots had awakened the other sleepers; one, 
taking in the situation at a glance, and probably, thinking that 
in this case at least discretion was by far the better part of 
valor, took to his heels and departed, ignominiously, but in safe- 
ty. The other, not that he loved life less, but honor more, made 
a stand against the assailants; but he had not been careful to 
place his pistols safe from the rain, and when he pulled the trig- 
ger, the cap snapped. 

Meanwhile Smith had not been idle. As he rose he fired the 
five shots still remaining to him with great rapidity, but with as 
steady a hand as if the target were not a living one. Two of the 
five took effect, though not fatally; and the three who were still 
unhurt, having discharged their guns and not having time to re- 
load, retreated rapidly towards camp, followed by their wound- 
ed comrades. Naturally Smith and his companion had no desire 
to pursue the fugitives; knowing that, in a few moments, the 
entire camp would be alarmed and a large detachment sent out 
to bring them in, they made the best of their time in getting 
away from the scene of the skirmish, separating in order that 
they might double the chances of escape. 

Smith had put off his haversack and shoes when he lay down ; 
his blanket, as a matter of course, must be abandoned. All su- 
perfluous baggage was thus of necessity left behind; though 
such articles have seldom been considered as such, even by 
Stonewall Jackson's "foot cavalry," famous for its rapid march- 
es and its dependence upon the enemy's stores for subsistence. 

But even thus unincumbered, even to the point of lacking 
necessaries, he felt that danger thickened around him. The 
Federals had found their comrades in camp, already on the qui 
vive to know the meaning of the shots which they had heard; 
and when their story was told, all were eager for revenge. A cav- 
alry force was sent to block the way to the mountains ; and in 
a few moments it seemed that every avenue of escape was closed 
by squads of infantry. He was not half a mile from the starting 
point when he saw that he was surrounded on every side. 

It was, indeed, a dark outlook for the scout ; he knew that, if 
captured, although he was in full Confederate uniform and wore 
side-arms, he would would be treated as a guerilla, perhaps as a 
spy; yet escape seemed well-nigh impossible. With such a fate 
in prospect he could not surrender, even if he had not previ- 



416 Adventures of an Artful Dodger. 

ously sworn that he would never be taken alive; there was but 
one course oj^en if he failed to elude his hundreds of pursuers, 
and that was to sell his life as dearly as possible. Onward, then, 
he crept, now sheltering himself in the thick bushes, peering out 
to see if it were safe for him to dart across the comparatively 
open spaces; now stealing along where an audible footstep 
might be a signal to his enemies. 

As the pursuers closed inujDon him, he was driven to the more 
open parts of the forest, where not only were the trees more 
scattered, but there was little or no undergrowth. Hitherto, 
caution had been most necessary; now it was speed. He had 
turned and doubled upon his pursuers like a hare before the 
hounds, and now stood upon the border of a small field, where 
he must either risk taking the open space or returning ui:)on his 
footsteps. The cries of his antagonists grew louder and clearer 
as they lessened the distance, showing that the second course 
was entirely impracticable. With the energy of desperation, 
then, he bounded across the field, towards a small group of pines 
that had been left in the centre of the clearing. 

One of these had been felled but the day before, and its foliage 
was still abundant enough to afford a hiding-place. Into the 
midst of it he made his way, and for a few brief moments there 
was a breathing space for the hunted man. Crouching among 
the boughs, he made use of this golden opportunity to reload his 
revolver, for he knew not how soon again he would be engaged 
in a hand-to-hand encounter, as desperate as that at the bivouac. 
Nearer and nearer came the pursuers, their approach made 
known by their wild cries as well as the tramp of many feet 
upon the soft earth and the rustling of the branches which 
must often be put aside as they made their way through the 
forest. They reached the fence which divided the cleared field 
from the wood; hastily demolishing the frail structure of rails, 
they dashed along — four of them. 

Closely they examined the field, going up to the clump of pine 
trees and peering curiously around them. The scout cowered 
down low in his hiding-place, and held his breath, lest even a 
sigh betray him. 

" O, I guess he ain't there, boys; there ain't any place big 
enough for him to hide that I havn't looked into. Come on; 
let's go." 

They hurried off; and the scout, relieved, raised his head. 



Adventures of an Artful Dodger. 417 

As he did so, the slight rustling thus occasioned caught the quick 
ear of one of the Federals, who, less easily satisfied than his com- 
rades, had lagged a little behind them. As the Yankee turned 
his head quickly, his eye met the scout's. 

" Here he is, boys," was the exclamation. 

" "Where, where ?" cried many voices, as they gathered from 
all jDarts of the surrounding woods within earshot, and hurried 
to the spot whence the shout had come. 

The scout sprang to his feet as soon as he saw thathis presence 
was discovered; the three immediate companions ofthe keen-eyed 
Federal had rejoined him immediately, and for a moment the 
enemies stood glaring at each other. Not a moveme<it was made, 
for secure in the knowledge of large and certain reinforcements, 
the assailants made no advance against the desperate man now 
surrounded; while he paused only as the tiger pauses before 
making its final leap upon its prey. 

He had only the loads in two revolvers with which to defend 
himself; further flight was well-nigh impossible, for his unpro- 
tected feet were torn and bruised by their previous service ; his 
pursuers were fresh. 

" A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse !" 

How soon the circle that was closing around him might num- 
ber hundreds in place of a score or so, he could not tell; certain- 
ly it would not be many minutes. But with strength already se- 
verely taxed b}^ the chase, how could he break through that ring 
and gain on them enough to enable him finally to escape their 
clutches. 

It all flashed through his mind as a message flashes over the 
wires ; and the charm that held them gazing at him as the 
snake's eyes are fixed upon its trembling, fluttering victim had 
not ceased when his blazing glance lighted on a venerable white 
mule, quietly grazing in the field, not twenty feet ofi". A leap, a 
bound, and he was past them ; a moment more, and he was again 
bestriding a steed. He clutched the mane convulsively and dug 
hisshoeless heels into the mule's sides. Theancientanimal, much 
astonished at these proceedings, as well as by the shots that came 
whizzing past, set off at full speed ; nothing better could have 
been desired by the scout. After him came the Federals in full 
chase, and he was just congratulating himself that the harmless 
shots they fired at him served in place of spur and whip, when, 
with all the perversity of his nature, the mule changedher mind. 



418 



Adventures of an Artful DoJger. 



and concluded she did not want a rider who goaded so sharply. 
Trained to field sj^orts from his boyhood, Smith kept his seat, 
though the animal seemed to wish to use her hind legs only ; but 
the mule had been accustomed to be backed by good riders, and 
when she found that this one was not to be thus unseated, began 
to arch her back in that peculiarly aggravating manner known 
as " bucking." The combination, together Avith very vigorous 
kicking, was enough to unhorse the best of riders, and the scout 




The Mule Changes Her Mind. 



soon found himself sprawling upon the ground. His pursuers 
urged their lagging steps still faster as they saw their game 
falling so certainly within their clutches j but the fugitive had 
no mind to be thus taken. Gathering himself up almost as soon 
as he touched the earth, l)e darted into the woods, the border of 
which had been reached, followed by a storm of bullets, shouts 
and curses. 

Feeling themselves still more certain of their prey than ever 
they had been before, since there is a limit to human endurance, 
the Federals pressed eagerly onward. The scout was desperate. 
His limbs were trembling, his feet were sore, his very veins 



Adventures of an Artful Dodger. 419 

seemed filled with liquid fire. If he kept on, he could hardly 
fail to be overtaken ; then would it not be as well to turn now, 
and with the ten loads of his revolvers, fight as long as possible, 
and, when they were gone, die? But first, he must have some 
water — it mattered little how short the span of life that remain- 
ed to him, he must assuage the burning thirst that was torment- 
ing him. 

Kneeling a moment on the bank of a clear brook which cross- 
ed his path, he took one long draught of the sweet, cool water. 
Nearer and nearer came his enemies, and springing to his feet, 
he had barely time to make for the bushes that skirted the 
stream when they were in sight. They were at first disposed to 
make but a cursory examination, supposing that of course 
he had gone on farther; but one of them saw the print of his 
knee on the sandy bank of the stream. 

"He stopped here to drink, so he can't be far off; he hasn't 
had time to get away." 

In an instant the field was surrounded and every preparation 
made for a diligent search. Not a mouse could have left that 
tract of land, save by an underground passage, unperceived by 
the cordon of soldiers that surrounded it; so thickly were they 
posted. Others were more directly occupied in the search. So 
closely did they examine the ground that they even put aside the 
bushes and peered into the depths of leafage. 

The scout lay flat on his back in one of these coverts, a revol- 
ver, loaded and cocked, in each hand. His plan was simple; 
when they came to look into that bush as closely as into those 
near by, the first man would be his first victim. At such short 
range, his ten bullets would only fail to put as many enemies 
out of the world, if they took good aim before he could empty all 
the barrels. If they should not do so, and should fall back, or 
even waver an instant before a fire so murderous, he would again 
break through their masses and seek another shelter. 

As he lay, calculating his chances, a small party approached 
the bush in which he was concealed. Branch after branch was 
pulled aside, but without success. 

" D n it, where in the devil can he be?" exclaimed one in 

tones more forcible than polite. 

The rejoinder intimated that if he wasn't in a very hot j^lace, 
the name of which has since been changed, it was not because he 
did not deserve it. 
27 



420 Adventures of an Artful Dodger. 

"Well, lie ain't here at any rate/' replied the first, moving 
away. 

" Don't know about that; I guess I'll take another look." 

As he bends again over the bushes, and pulls away the branch- 
es, there is, not three feet away, a revolver pointed, with dead- 
ly aim, at his heart. Why cannot he see the eyes gleaming with 
a deadly light, just beneath his own? Has his good genius 
blinded him? It would indeed seem so, for he gave up the search 
after a few moments, with the words : 

" I guess you were right about it, Jim j he don't seem to be 
there." 

"Hang him, he don't seem to be anywhere." 

" But how can we hang him when we haven't got him ?" quer- 
ied a wag with ghastly wit. 

"Well, boys, no success yet ?" asked an officer coming up. 

"Not a bit, sir; I'd be willing to take my oath on it that he 
ain't anywhere in this field." 

" He must be. Are you sure he isn't anywhere in this under- 
growth ? 

" We've pulled aside the branches of every bush in this clump 
and the next, and the one beyond that, sir. I don't think there's 
a square foot of the ground they cover that we haven't seen." 

The voices died away as this by no means unwelcome assur- 
ance was conveyed to his ear; and the scout felt free to breathe 
again. 

All day long he lay there, hearing the voices and the footsteps 
of his enemies, as they discussed the hunt ; the difficulties with 
which they had already met, the chances of their final success. 
As the day passed away, and it seemed more and more impossible 
that he could be concealed within the limits of a space so narrow 
and so thoroughly searched, the number of guards was dimin- 
ished. As night drew on, he gathered his strength for a final 
trial; creeping silently from his hiding-place he managed, un- 
der cover of the dense blackness of the night and the rain, to 
pass the sentinels stationed to guard the field. The same circum- 
stances enabled him to elude the pickets. Once beyond the Fed- 
eral lines, speed was of more importance than caution ; and a val- 
uable assistant in his flight was awaiting him at a well-known 
point — his horse. Making his way to the place where he had left 
the animal when he first approached the Federal camp, he was 
soon mounted and able to defy his pursuers. 



Adventures of an Artful Dodger, 421 

By dint of consuming the rest of the night on the road, he 
reached the Confederate lines at daybreak the next morning, to 
find his two companions on the scout had escaped without diffi- 
culty. The fact that he had shot the sergeant that first awakened 
him, made the pursuers bend every efl'ort to secure him, rather 
than his comrade. The information that he brought in regard 
to Gen. Meade's forces, had, of course, been already given to the 
commanding general by the other scouts, who had supposed 
Smith killed or captured. 



i:;HAPTERj(/7i7. 

CAPTUKING A PARTISAN. 

The Partisan's Kecord— Efforts to Take Him — A Discovery — Pursuit by Two 
Men — A Rough Road — A Cold Bath and Its Results — Dashing Onward — 
The Scent Lost — Another Pinds It — The Capture — Return — Value of the 
Prisoners — The Captor's Surprise. 

WHEEEYER the numbers of Unionists and Secessionists 
were nearly equally balanced^ the War raged with a fury 
unknown in those regions where one party maintained a decided 
majority. Private wrongs were avenged as the predominance of 
one party gave power to the injured man j and when the balance 
turned, and the section was filled with the soldiers of the other 
army, he was often made to pay dearly for his vengeance. Un- 
der such circumstances many a man "took to the brush,'* and 
all the horrors of partisan or guerilla warfare were added to 
those troubles which the whole country endured. Among the 
states in which such a condition of affairs prevailed was Tenn- 
essee, and we would now narrate the effort to capture a noted 
Confederate partisan of that state. 

Col. Duncan Cooper had for a long time troubled the Federals 
there very much, and many scouting parties had been sent out 
after him, only to return empty-handed. After innumerable 
parties had tried to capture him, and as many failed, the pro- 
ject began to be looked upon as something nearly or quite im- 
possible ; and though many a venturesome body of scouts asked 
permission to undertake it, the request was always granted with 
the assurance, on the part of the commanding officer that they 
would return as they came. 

Such was the state of affairs when, one afternoon in the latter 
part of February, 1864, a party of six or eight recruiting officers 

422 



Capturing a Partisan, 423 

were riding leisurely along, on the "banks of Swan Creek, some 
twenty miles west of Columbia. They were somewhat in ad- 
vance of the foraging detail, which waspursuing thesameroad. 
Suddenly the advance party discovered four guerillas, riding as 
carelessly as themselves, along a by-way to the right. Every 
man was instantly ready with his pistol, and the reports rang 
out simultaneously. The partisans, evidently surprised by this 
rude announcement that the enemy was in their neighborhood, 
looked back to see the strength of the attacking force; and per- 
ceiving that it was nearly double their own, galloped off with- 
out returning the fire. 

Among the Federals was a private of the Fiftieth Illinois, Sto- 
vall by name. Without waiting for order or signal he obeyed the 
brave man's first impulse, and dashed after the retreating enemy. 
The others, more prudent, or mounted on less manageable steeds, 
remained behind; until, for very shame, one of them, Lieut. 
Nelson, found a way to make his horse follow Stovall's lead, 
though at the distance of twenty yards. 

It was b|^ no means easy to follow the course of the partisans, 
for they had chosen a path which led along a rough, stony creek. 
At times the low banks disappeared entirely, and only over- 
hanging bluffs or ascents too steep for mounted men to ride 
across, bordered the stream. At such places, of course, their 
way must lie along the veiy bed of the creek. But while this 
seemed rather against the pursuers, whose horses had not been 
trained to the rough roads of that section, it turned out to be of 
advantage. The weather was bitterly cold, and many of the 
stones that bordered the creek were covered with ice ; indeed, 
only the swift current of the creek prevented its being frozen 
solid. Any one who has ever attempted to walk down hill up- 
on a bowlder pavement just after a fall of sleet, will appreciate 
the difficulty which the horses had in keeping their feet, especi- 
ally when descending to the bed of the stream. 

While leaving the bank, the horse ridden by one of the Confed- 
erates slipped and fell, throwing his rider over his head into the 
icy water. The dismounted man rapidly scrambled out, for the 
pursuit was too hot to allow of much delay; but his haste was in 
vain. The horse had soon regained his footing, and frightened 
at the sudden change in the weight upon his back, and no longer 
restrained by a strong hand upon the rein, galloped madly up 
the steep ascent, ridorless. 



424 



Capturing a Partisan. 



The dismounted man tried to mount behind one of his compan- 
ions, but the horse was restive, and refused to carry double. 
Some time was lost in this way, and when the animal was finally 
halted and brought tinder control, the saddle turned as the 
unhorsed man gained the coveted seat, throwing both would-be 
riders into the creek. The delay had been fatal, for before they 
had recovered themselves, Stovall dashed up and, seeing their 
plight, called upon them to surrender. Unhorsed, the weight of 



# 








^^^^ 






A Cold Bath. 



their clothing increased greatly by the drenching they had re- 
ceived, their arras rendered unavailable, by reason of the same 
misfortune, they sullenly admitted themselves his prisoners. 

Although their firearms were rendered useless by the water, 
he took time to disarm them, forthey carried swords and knives. 
This, however, occupied but a moment; and waving his pistol 
above his head with a shout of triumph, the Federal dashed on 
at the same speed as before after the other two who by this 
time were entirely out of sight. His rapid riding was somewhat 
of a disadvantage, for he did not pause to track the fugitives 



Capturing a Partisan. 425 

carefully and pursued the same road when he should have turn- 
ed aside at a certain point. 

Let us now return to Lieut. Nelson. Biding after Stovall, he 
found the prisoners that the latter had disarmed, trying to wring 
the water out of their clothes and otherwise make themselves 
somewhat more comfortable. Learning that Stovall had not 
exacted a parole of them, but had contented himself with simply 
disarming them, the officer thought it best to remain in charge 
of them, at least until some one else should come up. He had 
seen the other Confederates turn from the road, being at the 
time on a higher portion of the rocky path, which commanded a 
wider view than his present position; and felt assured that Sto- 
vall had not perceived the change of course. It was with some 
impatience, then, that he remained with the prisoners and with 
great joy that he saw a third member of the recruiting party 
leisurely riding towards him* Calling to the new comer to hurry 
forward to the prisoners, he set spurs to his hoije and galloped 
after the two who had eluded Stovall, 

Having noticed the point at which they had left the road, he 
had at first but little difficulty in following them, for the tracks of 
their horses* feet were plainly visible in the light snow with 
which this sheltered road was covered. But as he rode out from 
among the trees, where the snow had melted in the sun, and the 
ground had frozen hard again at night, his task was more difficult. 
He rode hastily up the first road by which he could ascend the 
hill, and having gained the summit, looked down upon the coun- 
try around him. He had taken the right path; there, in the hol- 
low at the foot of the hill, the two Confederates had stopped to 
adjust their saddles. He felt a momentary doubt as to the result 
of the encounter alone with two of the enemy; but it was no 
time to retreat, save ingloriously, and that he would not do. 

" Surrender, if you value your lives," he cried, riding down 
towards them as if he had a company at his back. 

They sprang to their saddles, and were off like the wind. "I 
galloped, he galloped, we galloped all three." Shot after shot 
the Federal sent after the flying enemy, but so uneven was the 
ground and so devious was their course that not a bullet reached 
its mark. At last, however, there was one apparently, which 
whistled alarmingly near to their ears, and, that at least one 
might escape, they separated. The horses of the two who had 
been captured had followed these men, and now that they sop- 



426 Capturing a Partisan, 

arated, continued with the one who took the path they knew best. 

After this man, as the more valuable prize if taken, the Fed- 
eral took his way. Closer and closer they drew together, pur- 
suer and pursued ; but the shots of the former were still as inef- 
fective as ever. Nelson was now convinced that it must come to 
a personal struggle, for his revolvers were nearly empty, and he 
had no time to reload. He determined to spur up alongside the 
Confederate, and, with a blow from the butt of a pistol, knock 
him oif his horse. 

No sooner was the plan conceived than he proceeded to put it 
into execution. He had reached the desired position j the weap- 
on was raised for the blow, when the Reb, seeing that it was in- 
evitable, yielded himself a prisoner. Hastily disarming him, 
Lieut. Nelson directed him to catch the two loose horses; this 
was readily done, and the two rode back in more leisurely style 
over the path by which they had just advanced so hastily. 

Thus they returned to the point where Nelson had left Sto- 
vall's prisoners in charge of the third Federal in the chase. This 
was Sergeant Craig, who was in command of the foraging party, 
and who belonged to a different regiment from either of the 
others, having been stationed in that section for a longer time 
and frequently employed in scouting. Stovall came up almost 
at the same time, tired and much chagrined at the loss of his 
game. But Craig had a consolation for him. Leaving the pris- 
oners to the care of the rest of the party, for all had now come 
up, he drew the two pursuers slightly aside and asked : 

" Do you know who you have taken ?" 

*' Guerillas, ain't they ?" 

*' I should say so. Why, that one" — and he designated the Con- 
federate whose horse had slipped in descending the bank — 
" that one is Duncan Cooper, that we've been trying to catch for 
the last six or eight months." 

Stovall gave a long whistle. 

" Well," said he, " I don't feel quite so bad as I did. It did cut 
me up awfully to think I'd ridden so far and hadn't caught any 
game. I thought they'd all got away from us for good." 

The three prisoners, with the three horses, were conveyed back 
to camp, where all were heartily welcomed, but one especially 
so, though the welcome was not a particularly loving one. 



j::!haptef^ 7J.. 



COL. MENEFEE'S HIDE FOR LIFE. 

Ther Partisans and Their Outfit— A Skirmish in the "Woods — Federal Reinforce- 
ments — Retreat of Confederates — Pursuit — The Mountain Side — For the Sake 
of One of His Men — A Steep Descent — A Dash Down It. 

66 A PEOPHET is not without honor, save in his own coun- 
fX try and among his own people)" butit is different in the 
case of the partisan. His services are much appreciated by those 
who are nearest to him; and while he is often forgotten by the 
grave historian, his name is remembered by the people long af- 
ter his bones are dust. His is the wildly stirring life, spent in the 
isaddle, in the mountain fastnesses, in the deep recesses of the 
•woods J harassing the enemy as the gadfly the horse. Such was 
Col. N. Mcnefee, a gallant Kentuckian, who, at a comparatively 
early date in the war, received a commission in the Confeder- 
ate army. He was favorably known far and wide for his daring 
courage, and many men from the eastern section of his native 
state flocked to his standard. They had not the latest and most 
approved pattern of arms, it is true; many of them were provid- 
ed with only the old-fashioned flint-lock muskets, such as our 
great grandfathers, perhaps, shouldered when they marched 
against King George; but they were steady hands that aimed the 
ancient guns, and warm, brave hearts that beat with pleasure 
when the enemy was near. Such were the men that came to him, 
no unworthy leader. 

There was a skirmish in the woods — of no importance, the his- 
torian, or even the newspaper would say. It was nothing but a 
chance meeting of a Federal scouting party with a body of Con- 
federate partisans — that was all. There were a few volleys fired 

427 



428 Col. Menefee's Ride for Life. 

on either side, but they were somewhat irregular ; for the ancient 
percussion caps and breech-loaders were by no means certain to 
go off, and it was not long before the better armed, but less de- 
termined force retreated in considerable disorder. Two of their 
number were left upon the field, while a Confederate made the 
third in this "bivouac of the dead." Four of the Federals, al- 
though wounded, were able to ride off to camp with their com- 
rades. 

But the Federals had had an object in view when they retreat- 
ed — they gave the alarm in camp ; the long roll was sounded, 
but it was subsequently determined to send no more than three 
hundred men out, since it was certain that the enemy could not 
number a tenth as many. In reality, there were but thirteen of 
Menefee's men, but the excited imagination of the Federals, who 
were raw troops had trebled their strength. The Confederates, 
of course, could not make a stand against such a force, and the 
order was given to retreat. It came too late for them to make 
their way off in perfect safety, without a rear guard, and this 
duty the leader took upon himself. Mounted on a fine blooded 
mare which had carried him gallantly to the hunt and the battle, 
he felt confident thather speed could save him, come what might ; 
and while his men were climbing the mountain cliffs, he remain- 
ed to watch the enemy. 

For nearly an hour after his men had left him, he stayed there, 
while the enemy searched for the little party. At last, knowing 
that farther delay would be dangerous, he turned his horse's 
head up Elk Horn Creek. High crags and inaccessible bluffs 
rose on one side of him, while, on the other stretched upward 
the rugged slopes of Cumberland Mountain, three miles high. 
His path lay through this one narrow defile ; if the enemy ap- 
peared at one end of it, only the speed of his horse would ena- 
ble him to escape;- for to climb that mass of bowlders and laurel 
thickets was well-nigh impossible for a man on foot; and it had 
long been considered totally inaccessible to animals. 

Onward he rode, supposing himself entirely safe, and his men 
escaped to the mountain fastnesses, whither the enemy could not 
follow them. The ravine through which the creek ran was sev- 
eral miles in length, and had but few openings. The Federals 
could only approach him from the rear; excellently mounted, 
and thoroughly acquainted with the country, he could not fail to 
make his escape good. 



Col. Menefee*s Ride for Life, 429 

But even as he thus congratulated himself on the certainty of 
security for himself and his command, his enemies were prose- 
cuting the search. The scouting party had lost, in killed and 
wounded, a fourth of their numhers; and their comrades were 
eager to avenge the injuries received. The Confederate's mare, 
faithful as a watch-dog, gave a loud, shrill snort; and looking 
ahead, he saw a body of at least a hundred Federal troopers 
emerging from one of the few openings in the side of the ravine. 
He had calculated that they either would not suspect his course 
or would fail to find these cross valleys; but his calculations 
were at fault. There was not a moment to be lost, for they had 
already perceived him. The bluffs rose nearly perpendicularly, 
and would, even if he gained the summit, afford him no advan. 
tages, for he would be closely followed by the Federals ; and 
the enemy might have additional forces within call. To ride 
forward was to rush into their very arms; to retreat was mad- 
ness ; to ascend the mountain side was, in the eyes of all the dar- 
ing hunters of the section, impossible for a horseman. 

Surrender he would not, and the only alternative was to climb 
those steep and rugged slopes. Hardly had the enemy been seen 
than his resolution was taken, and reining his mare to the bluffs, 
to give her a good start over the comparatively level ground, he 
urged her forward. The exultation which had gleamed in the 
eyes of the Federals as they looked upon their assured prey van- 
ished as they saw that prey about to escape their clutches; and 
with a series of wild yells they rode after him. They knew it 
was impossible for them to ascend the mountain on horseback, 
and when they came to the ascent, they dismounted and prepar- 
ed to continue the chase on foot. 

The mountain consists of a series of terraces, locally known 
as " benches," from which the action of the wind and the waters 
has carried the softer materials, leaving a hard and rocky soil, 
where only the hardiest of plants will grow. The slopes between 
these benches are steep and rugged, but the more fertile soil is 
covered with a denser growth. Such was the slope up which he 
was to ride ; and the Federals folt confident that in being on foot 
they had a great advantage. As he neared the top of the first 
bench, he was stopped by falling timber. The pause, however, 
was not unwelcome to the mare, whose every power had been 
strained to the utmost; and Col. Menefee was by no means 
averse to letting her get her breath. 



430 



Col, Menefee's Bide for Life. 



But, to the Federals, the reason for the halt was not plain ; 
they supposed that it indicated a surrender. They pressed on 
then, with exultant cries and angry oaths, whenever breath 
could be spared. The fugitive was hemmed in at last; he could 
not escape; he desired to surrender; there was no use of shoot- 
ing at him ; it would be a waste of powder, for they were certain 
to take him alive. But the fugitive himself thought differently 

of these things; the 
breathless mare had 
pricked up her ears as she 
heard the noises of pur- 
suit; and now, after the 
momentary rest, a touch 
of her rider's heel on her 
side was enough to urge 
her onward up the rough 
slope. An instant after 
she had leaped the bar- 
rier, and horse and rider 
were out of sight of the 
Federals, sheltered b}' 
friendly rocks and bluffs. 
But he could not make 
his way much farther up- 
ward ; and under this 
friendly cover he dis- 
mounted and prepared 
to defend himself as long 
as he could, and when the 
odds became too over- 
whelming, to die as be- 
came a soldier. But, as 
he drew his revolvers to 
examine them, and pre- 
pare himself, he cauglil 
sight of one of his men approaching him in the distance. The 
poor fellow had become exhausted in his flight from the pursu 
ing enemy and was almost fainting with fatigue. To attract the 
enemy's attention to this spot, was to sacrifice this faithful soldier 
for nothing, and although this was well calculated for defence, he 
decided to make another stand ; to fasten the attention of tLe 




Menefee's Ride. 



Col. Menefee's Ride for Life. 



431 



enemy on himself alone, and thus enable the man to escape, 

" Climb to the top of the bluff," he motioned to the soldier, 
for it was not safe to spe'ak. The soldier obeyed hastily, and 
was soon out of sight in the brush that clothed the steep ascent. 
Meanwhile Cd, Menefee had again sprung to the saddle. He 
watched the soldier disappear. It was necessary that the ene- 
my should know the direction that the horseman had taken, if 
tlie man on foot was to escape. Rising in his stirrups, the gal- 
lant partisan uttered the war whoop of the Osage Indians. The 
blood-curdling sound echoed back and forth along the bluffs as, 
setting spurs to his horse, he dashed down a rugged ledge of 
rocks. After him came the pursuers at full speed j but what is 
the speed of a man when opposed to that of a race-horse? Down, 
down, the rough, rocky descent, almost as steep as an ordinary 
flightof stairs J now sliding, now leaping, now scrambling, now 
on the full run, a hundred yards, a quarter of a mile, a half mile, 
to the very bottom, and he is safe. Now the Federals have giv- 
en up the chase, cursing the Government horses that could not 
do what this Rebel's has done. A few parting shots are flred 
after him, but not one reaches its mark; and that night Mene- 
fee is with his men at the rendezvous appointed in the morning. 




DAHLGREN'S RAID. 

The Object — ^Difference of Opinion — Organization of the Force — ^Dablgren's 
B«cord — Departure — A. Heavy Storm — Failure to Co-operate — Skirmish near 
Richmond — The Eetreat — Crossing the Stream — Movements of the Confeder- 
ates — The Ambush in the Woods — Death of Col. Dahlgren — Action of the 
Confederate Government. 

IN" the month of February, 1864, there was planned a raid 
which, if it had been successfully carried out, would have 
been one of the most memorable of the war. As it is — but we 
anticipate the course of the story. 

There is much dispute about one important point; namely, 
the object for which the expedition was sent out; and the name 
of the man who stands out most clearly in the story has been 
lauded to the skies and trampled in the dust. Fully aware of 
difficulties which await him in the effort to tell the story fairly, 
the writer will endeavor to avoid the fond praises of the mother 
of the dead soldier, as well as the execrations of the most violent 
of his enemies that ever handled a pen ; conscious all the time 
that those who would wish to please both sides, frequently end 
by failing to please either. 

It was with Gen. Kilpatrick that the idea of liberating the 
prisoners of war confined in Libby amd Belleisle originated. 
The project met with the approval of President Lincoln and his 
Secretaiy of War, and the dashing cavalry leader was desired 
to organize the expedition. Once it became known that such 
a raid was contemplated, that there was a prospect of Federal 
troops penetrating to the very inner sanctuary of the Confed- 
eracy, the more venturesome spirits became wild with excite- 
ment. "On to Eichmond!" had been their desire for three 

432 



Dahlgren's Raid. 



433 



years, and here, perhaps, was the opportunity to enter the capi- 
tal of the Secessionists. 

Among those who volunteered for the expedition was Col. 
Ulric Dahlgren, a son of the renowned admiral, and a young 
man of great promise as a soldier. He was barely twenty-one, 
and had already made himself an honorable record. But, though 
he was anxious to go, every one endeavored to dissuade him; 
for he had been wounded in the previous July, and had lost his 
leg in consequence; the amputated limb was not yet fully heal- 
ed, nor did the general state of his health make it advisable for 

him to undertake ajourney 
which promised so much 
hard riding and hard fight- 
ing. But his persistency 
defeated all the efforts of his 
friends, and, his services 
being accepted, he was giv- 
en an important post. 

The entire command was 
divided into three parts, 
one of which was led by 
Gen. Kilpatrick in person, 
while the second was as- 
signed to Gen. Custer, and 
the third, consisting of 
about seven hundred men, 
to Col. Dahlgren. The second of these was merely intended to 
create a diversion by a feint upon Charlottesville; while the 
first and third were to remain united until they reached Beav- 
er Dam, where they were to separate and attack Richmond, 
Kilpatrick from the north, and Dahlgren from the south. 

Such was the plan of the raid, briefly sketched out. The ob- 
ect of it is stated by the Federal authorities to have been 
nothing more than the liberation of the prisoners of war in the 
hands of the Confederates, and the destruction of government 
stores; while many Southern writers maintain that the "Dahl- 
gren papers" are authentic; if this be true, the raiders intend- 
ed to burn the city and put the more prominent Confederate 
ofiicials to the sword. That is not a matter to be discussed here, 
however, ^nd the reader is invited to take that view which best 
accords with his general sentiments in regard to the War. 




Gen. H. J. Kilpatrick. 



434 



DaMgren's Raid. 



The whole force set out just at night-fall of Feb. 28th, 1864, 
Dahlgren's command being the advance-guard. Crossing the 
Kapidan at Ely's Ford, they found, as they had expected, a 
strong picket posted on the farther bank; but succeeded in cap- 
turing them without giving the alarm to a considerable body of 
the enemy that lay at no great distance. The nature of the ex- 
pedition required that its end should be accomplished as speed- 
ily as possible, or the comparatively small body of raiders might 
find that they had drawn down a hornet's nest on their own de- 
voted headsc There 
'7ere none of the usual 
long halts, then, for 
■'bod or rest. A hasty 
meal by the road-side, 
a short nap in the sad- 
dle — these wereallthat 
the troopers were to 
expect. 

They rode onward, 
then, all night, and far 
into the next day, be- 
fore any halt was or- 
dered ; and that was to 
accomplish a certain 
part of the task assign- 
ed rather than to re- 
fresh the "inner man" Crossing the Rapidan. 
with food or rest. It was between two and three o'clock on 
the afternoon of Feb. 29th, that they struck the Virginia 
Central Eailroad, about a mile from Frederic's Hall Station. 
Eiding along the road to the station, they captured a small par- 
ty of Confederate officers that they found there; and, continu- 
ing along the same route for five miles farther, tore up a half 
mile of the rails and cut the telegraph wire in several places. 

Having thus destroyed communication among the different 
portions of the enemy's force, the command divided, as had been 
arranged beforehand; Gen. Custer's force having left the main 
body soon after setting out. Col. Dahlgren, in accordance with 
the plan of the expedition, turned to the south, and crossed the 
South Anna about an hour before dark. As night came on, the 
sky, which had not been clear during the day, assumed a more 




Dahlyren's Raid. 435 

threatening appearance, and after a few scattering drops that 
gave warning of what was to come, the rain, about ten o'clock, 
began to fall in torrents. The men had been in the saddle near- 
ly thirty hours; a thorough drenching was soon added to 
their other discomforts; and the darkness rendered it almost im- 
possible for them to keep the road. Under such circumstances, 
it was deemed necessary to halt, and about midnight they drew 
rein before a small grocery store that stood by the road, for sup- 
per and rest. 

Before daylight of March 1st, however, they were stirring; 
and it was about half-past six when they mounted and rode on- 
ward. It was still raining when they started, and the roads 
were in a terrible condition; but in about half an hour the rain 
ceased ; and although the sky was still cloudy, a brisk breeze 
promised to dry the mud somewhat. It was one o'clock in the 
afternoon when they struck the plank road leading to Eichmond; 
and approaching the capital by this route, fell in, two hours 
later, with the Confederate pickets. But the alarm of the ap- 
proach of a Federal force had reached the Southern headquar- 
ters, and the pickets had been strengthened. It was only after 
sharp firing, continued for sometime, that these were driven in. 

But the plank road was a somewhat roundabout way of reach- 
ing the city, and having driven in the pickets, they approached 
the objective point more directly. A little before dark, a halt 
was called, eight miles from Eichmond; and the wearied troop- 
ers were permitted time to make such a meal as circumstances 
would allow. 

Here it was expected that they would be joined by the main 
command, or at least receive some orders as to the next step. 
But this hope was doomed to disappointment. It mattered lit- 
tle, at that time, that Custer had been driven back from Char- 
lottesville by a considerable force of Stuart's cavalry, stationed 
there ; the thing of main importance, at this moment, was the 
position of Kilpatrick. But there was no visible trace of that 
officer; as was afterwards ascertained by Dahlgren's men, he 
had appeared near Eichmond that morning and created consid- 
erable alarm and confusion; but had fallen back, taking up a 
line of march down the peninsula. 

Dahlgren, considering himself in honor bound to ascertain the 
whereabouts of the main force, or at least to learn its fate, ad- 
vanced a little farther. But his onward march was opposed by 
28 



436 



Dahlgren's Maid. 



a body of Confederate militia, hastily collected to assist in de- 
fending the capital. The cavalry dashed on in a wild charge, 
and the infantry retreated to the outer line of fortifications. 
Here, however, they rallied, and poured such a heavy fire into 
the columns of the Federals that the latter fell hack. How great 
a force barred their way, the raiders could not tell. The rain 
had recommenced, and was falling in torrents; the night was 
pitch dark 3 the only sense that could guide the men on either 
side as to the position 
of the enemy was the 
sense of hearing. No 
news of Kilpatrick had 
reached this part of the 
force J and thus beset by 
uncertainty, the retreat 
was begun. 

In an ordinaryretreat, 
the rear is the post of 
danger, and therefore of 
honor; but in a case 
such as this, where a 
small body was retreat- 
ing through the ene- 
my's country, an attack 
might be looked for in 
the front or on the flank, 
as well as in the rear; it 
was, indeed, more proba- 
ble that a force would 
meet them than pursue 




Col. Ulric Dnhlgren. 



them, for their rate of speed was such that, once given a slight 
start, they were not likely to be overtaken. Col. Dahlgren, 
then, took command of the advance guard, numbering about one 
hundred men; while the main body of his command followed at 
the usual distance. 

As we have said, the night was a very dark one ; there was no 
slight danger, then, that the main body would fail to follow the 
advance exactly ; and to prevent such a misfortune, pickets on 
white horses were posted along the road to act as guides. But, 
in spite of this precaution, the command became divided; the 
main body falling so far behind the advance as to be cut off by 



Dahlgren's Raid. 437 

the enemy and compelled to take another route. The advance 
held on their way, riding steadily onward, though the rain fell 
in torrents, and their cloaks were stiff with sleet. They reached 
the Pamunkey about daybreak, and proceeding along the south 
bank, came to the Mattapony about noon. The ferry boat at 
this point had been removed by the enemy, and the stream, swol- 
len with the recent rains, and fretting and dashing along its 
channels, must be crossed by aid of an old flat-boat, which the 
Confederates had thought unworthy of their attention. Of 
course, when such was the only means of transportation, the 
horses must swim ; and they were soon struggling in the muddy, 
icy water. 

The boat was so small and so hard to manage, the current so 
swift and strong, that much time was occupied in crossing. In 
the meantime, a party of Confederate Eangers, which had set out 
in pursuit of the enemy, rather to harrass the rear than to make 
any formal attack, had come ujo; and not venturing to show 
themselves, since they numbered only about twenty, stole into 
the bushes which overhung the banks of the stream. Every 
possible precaution had been taken by the Federals to prevent 
a sudden attack; and the dropping fire of the concealed men was 
answered readily by the videttes posted on the bank; while, 
occasionally. Col. Dablgren, who had dismounted and now stood 
resting on his crutches, to watch the passage of his men across 
the river, turned and fired his revolver in the direction of the 
shots. At last, the rear-guard dashed down the bank and em- 
barked, the commander followed his men on board the flat-boat, 
and all had safely crossed the Pamunkey. 

It was now two o'clock in the afternoon. The command took 
what was known as the "river road," and continued the march 
until about ten o'clock. In the meantime, the Confederates hav- 
ing been reinforced by various small forces, until the whole com- 
mand numbered between seventy and eighty, had determined 
to ambush the Federals. Scouts kept the pursuers informed as 
to the numbers and movements of the invading force; and the 
point of concealment was fixed about a mile and a half below 
Stevensville. 

In the Confederate councils, there was a diff'erence of opinion 
as to when Dahlgren would advance. They had already learned 
of the halt that had been called, and knowing that the men had 
been almost constantly in the saddle for two days and nights. 



438 Dahlgren's Baid. 

TnaTiy supposed that they had bivouacked for the night; others, 
that they would move on when the moon rose, between two and 
three o'clock in the morning; while others still advanced the 
opinion that he would halt only long enough to feed the horses. 
The force was composed of several independent commands, and 
each officer proceeded to act on his own opinion. Many of the 
men were dispersed for a little rest, and ordered to be at the 
rendezvous in the woods by raoonrise. 

The halt had been for only an hour; and at eleven o'clock the 
Union troops moved onward through the woods, Col. Dahlgren 
at the head of the column. Though it was not raining, the night 
was dark; and even the naked branches and trunks of the trees 
around them increased the obscurity. It was with some diffi- 
culty, then, that, about midnight, the young officer discerned a 
small force of men in the road before him. He demanded their 
surrender; the answer was a volley from their carbines; and at 
the same moment the Confederates concealed in the woods fired. 
The Federals replied in the same manner, encouraged by the 
voice of their leader; but as he reeled and fell from his saddle, 
their courage and energy completely forsook them. The utmost 
confusion prevailed among them ; some put spurs to their wearied 
horses and escaped by flight; others surrendered at discretion. 
There was not one to "fight as their leader fought, fall as their 
leader fell;" not one to avenge his death. 

Two or three privates had been wounded, but only the com- 
mander had been killed. With him, however, died the expedi- 
tion, which had thus proved such a disastrous failure. Even ac- 
cording to the account of a notoriously partial Southern writer, 
his is the central figure of the three officers in command ; he, al- 
though the youngest and the lowest in rank, was the only one 
who in any degree approached the accomplishment of his object ; 
and his failure was perhaps due to the sudden and unexpected re- 
treat of Kilpatrick, without giving any kind of warning to the 
officer who was to act in co-operation with him. 

The affair aroused the most violent discussion at the time, tlie 
subject of dispute being the object of the expedition. In the 
Eichmond papers, there were published, a day or so after the 
death of the officer in command ofthe expedition, certain jiapers 
said to have been taken from the dead body of the Federal ; one 
of these was an address to the officers and men composing the 
expedition, and mentioned the burning of the city and the kill- 



440 



Dahlgren's Raid. 




Dahlgren's Raid. 441 

ing of the Confederate President and his chief advisers as one of 
the ends to be attained. On the other hand, Lieut, Bartley, act- 
ing adjutant to Col. Dahlgren, and the only staff officer accom- 
panying the command, avers positively that the only orders is- 
sued were in relation to the liberation of prisoners and the de- 
struction of the Confederate States Government buildings and 
stores; with strict injunctions not to take life except in fair 
fight, and to treat prisoners with as much respect as was consis- 
tent with their safety. It is claimed that the papers were a for- 
gery. 

The approach of a Federal force to within such a short dis- 
tance of Richmond excited considerable alarm in the capital, 
and the raiders were denounced as murderous and incendiary fel- 
ons. Many urged the severest kind of retaliation, but no deci- 
sive steps were taken by the Government. The only act resulting 
from this attempt was the placing of several tons of powder 
under Libby Prison, a fact which was published far and wide, in 
order to show how worse than fruitless would be any other ef- 
fort to liberate the prisoners there confined. 

The body of Dahlgren was taken in charge by the Confederate 
Government, and secretly buried in an unmarked grave. But 
the spot was noted by some secret sympathizers with the Union 
cause, and after the War was over, the remains were exhumed 
and sent to Washington; there the body was delivered to his 
family, and replaced in a grave marked with his name. 



ADVENTURE OF FORAGERS. 

Eelaxing Discipline — Three Foragers — A Promising Barn — Captured — A Coun- 
cil of "War — Ten Minutes to Pray In — They Prefer to Pray Somewhere 
Else — A Kace and an Interested Spectator — Who Soon has aEace of His 
Own — Escape — Eevenge. 

EAELY in April, 1864, several regiments of the United States 
Army were temporarily encamped at Natchitoches, La. 
They formed a portion of the troops used by Gen. Banks for his 
unfortunate Red River expedition, disowned, after its disastrous 
failure, by the authorities at Washington. But it is not our pur- 
pose to give a history of this intended blow at the Southwest, or 
even to narrate one of the more important events. Let us con- 
cern ourselves only with the fortunes of a trio of foragers. 

One of the regiments there encamped, the Forty-eighth Ohio 
Infantry, had bee-n promised the name of ''Veteran Yolunteers" 
and a thirty day's furlough for all the men, if they would re-en- 
list in a body for three years longer; but the empty honor of 
the name was the only reward really given, after their accept- 
ance, and they waited in vain for the much desired furlough. As 
the months went on, and they found that the promise was not 
likely to be fulfilled, it became exceedingly difficult to control 
them; and the officers wisely allowed the men many privileges 
not exactly consistent with the strictest discipline. 

Of all the privileges which a soldier covets, there is not one 
that is dearer to his heart, when he is encamped in the enemy's 
country, than foraging. Often, distance from the Government 
supplies and the vicinity of the enemy preventthe army from ob- 
taining the rations due to them ; so that it becomes a matter of 
necessity that the men should obtain suppliesinany way possible. 

442 



J 



Adventure of Foragers, 443 

However it may have been, certain it is that while this command 
was encamped at Natchitoches, three privates, one from the 
Twenty-fourth Iowa, and two, Pavy and McCune, of the Ohio 
regiment mentioned, went out on such an expedition. 

Affairs were progressing satisfactorily as far as they had gone, 
but they had not obtained a sufficient supply of substantials and 
delicacies to justify them, as they thought, in returning to camp. 
Just at this juncture, they spied a barn, the surroundings of 
which gave promise of plenty. Toward this they accordingly 
bent their steps, and were soon lost to view in the masses of hay 
with which the building, notwithstanding the season, was plen- 
tifully stocked. As they hunted through the heaps, yet fragrant 
from the mowing, they dreamed sweet dreams of meals where the 
rusty and strong bacon provided by the Government should be 
rendered temptingly palatable by fresh eggs. 

But whether this was not their favorite resting-place, or the 
hens were possessed of more than the usual share of acuteness 
in concealing their treasures, certainly the eggs were not as 
abundant nor as easily found as they expected. At last, how- 
ever, they emerged from the inner recesses of the building to 
compare notes and consolidate their findings. Just as they were 
about to transfer the spoil from their caps to a basket which 
they found near by, they were confronted by two Confederate 
soldiers, fully armed. 

"Surrender, you d d thieving Yankees, or " 

A glance at the revolver which the speaker held in his hand 
was more expressive than words could have been. As the for- 
agers had laid aside their guns when they first entered the barn, 
they were entirely unarmed; and they, of course, could do 
nothing but comply with the demand. The Confederates had 
already possessed themselves of the three muskets, so that there 
was no occasion to disarm the prisoners, but in default of such a 
necessity, theywere compelled to unload their spoils. As the pris- 
oners numbered more than the captors, the former were secured 
by having their arms tied behind them, a single piece of rope 
serving for all. Thus guarded, they were ordered to march 
along an indicated road. At last they reached what the Con- 
federates considered a safe distance from the Federal lines, 
which were not far from the barn ; and the prisoners were seat- 
ed on a log that lay near the roadside, while the captors with- 
drew a couple of paces to consult; still keeping, of course, a 



444 



Adventure of Foragers. 



sharp lookout upon the three blue-coats, lest they escape. 

Though the conversation was conducted in as low a tone as 
possible, they were obliged, for safety's sake, to remain so near 
the prisoners that much of it was audible to the three men seat- 
ed on a log. Murmurs from such a conversation as this reached 
their ears : 

"Don't you think we could ?" 

''Don't believe it would be safe. You see, there being three 



[^^r'-"^*^%t^ff'"r " "'•'^^'^i^^-m 



TW 




The Foragers Surprised. 

of them to two of us makes it risky." 

''But they are unarmed." 

"That's true; but we have to tie them together, and we can't 
tell when they'll make a concerted movement to escape. They're 
going to try it, of course." 

"Our lines are a good ways off. If it wasn't so far, now — " 

The speaker paused, and glanced anxiously at the prisoners. 

"After all," he continued, "I believe you're right about it. 
Will you tell them, or shall I ?" 

"I will, if you don't want to." 



Adventure of Foragers. 445 

And advancing a step towards the log, he addressed the men 
sitting upon it, who were busily engaged in guessing, from 
the disconnected fragments that they had heard, the subject and 
the result of the consultation. 

"We have decided not to take you to camp, for our lines are a 
good ways off. There's only one way to dispose of you. You 
can have ten minutes to say your prayers, after we get a little 
farther into the woods." 

"Better tie them a little more securely, I reckon, suggested 
the other. 

But when men are once condemned to death, they fear nothing, 
for nothing can be worse than the fate which certainly awaits them. 
As the Confederates, recognizing this, proceeded to bind the 
l^risoners yet more securely before leading them to the spot 
where they were destined to die, the lowan, with the strength 
born of desperation, started to run, drawing his two comrades, 
of course, with him. But if he had been quick in his movements, 
the captors proved equally so. One of them, raising his revol- 
ver, sent a ball crashing through the skull of the liberty-loving 
prisoner. He fell like a log, dragging down his companions on 
either side, nearly to the ground; for he fell so suddenly that 
they had no time to resist. But even as he fell, Pavy, inspired 
by his example and unwarned by his fate, summoned all bis 
strength for one last effort. 

With a sudden pull, to which despair gave force, he burst his 
bonds, and ran at his utmost speed towards the Federal lines, 
closely pursued by one of the Confederates. As McCune made a 
similar movement, the other Southerner, quicker to comprehend 
the case than his companion, struck the prisoner a blow on the 
head with the butt end of his musket, that, for a moment, knock- 
ed him senseless; then turned to watch the progress of the 
chase. 

But experience had taught McCune that he had to deal with a 
foe that was quick to see and to act; that the only hope of es- 
cape lay in outwitting him. When, therefore, he returned to 
consciousness, as he did in a few minutes, he gave no sign that he 
was in possession of his senses. The Confederate still stood 
leaning on his musket, watching his companion and Pavy run ; 
for they were yet far from being out of sight. McCune's first 
effort was to loosen the ropes, which not only prevented the free 
use of his arms, but encumbered him with the weight of the 



446 Adventure of Foragers. 

lowan's dead body. Any sudden movement on his part would 
undoubtedly recall the Confederate's attention from the race to 
his charge, and then a continuance of his efforts would result in 
death. Carefully, slowly, silently he worked at the knots, his 
progress being but slight in what seemed an age, because his 
hands were behind him. But it is really only a few minutes be- 
fore he is free, and springing to his feet, he rushes past the as- 
tonished Confederate, after the others. 

Meanwhile Pavy had fled almost on wings of the wind, follow- 
ed by the Confederate, who was almost equally fleet of foot. 
But the Federal had this advantage, that any chance and unex- 
pected encounter would in all likelihood be with a friend, and 
would mean safety ; while the pursuer had to exercise everj' 
care to avoid falling into the hands of those who would befriend 
the fugitive. But at last the neighborhood became too danger- 
ous for him ; they were too near the Federal lines for the Con 
federate's liking j and he gave up the chase. 

McCune followed the path which these two had taken, for some 
little time J closely pursued, in his turn, by the other guard, 
whose enjoyment of the race had been so rudely ended by the un- 
expected escape of his prisoner. But reflecting that the return 
of Pavy's pursuer, with or without having recaptured the fugi- 
tive, would probably be along the same path by which he had 
gone, he turned aside. Although his prime object was not to 
elude his own pursuer, he not only avoided the return of the 
first, but completely baffled the second by the numerous turns 
which he made. Gradually the sound of footsteps grew fainter 
and fainter ; then as the Confederate saw that he was lik'ely to 
lose his prey if it took him so long to track it, a bullet whistled 
by McCune's ears. Another and another came, until the Eeb's 
revolver was emptied. To stof) to reload, of course, would only 
increase the disadvantage at which he already stood, and the 
gray-coat sullenly gave up the chase and retraced his steps. 

Trembling in every limb from the severe exertion required by 
the long run, and panting for breath, the two fugitives arrived 
in camp from diff'erent points at nearly the same time ; each be- 
,ing ignorant of the fate of the other. Their story was listened 
to with eager ears and hearts desirous to avenge their fallen 
comrade. The officers, alarmed lest the presence of two Confed- 
erates so near the lines might indicate the approach of an army, 
resolved to guard against a surprise. A considerable force of 



Adventure of Foragers. 447 

cavalry was detailed for the purpose of reconnoissance as well as 
revenge; and divided into small squads, each was assigned to 
scour a certain portion ofthe country around the Federal camp. 

The column of flame and smoke rising into the sky soon ap- 
prised those who were forced to remain, inactive, in the camp, 
that the barn where the capture had taken place had been burned ; 
while a similar one near it, a few moments afterwards, showed 
that the cavalry had found the owner of the house near by to 
have aided the Confederates, and had destroyed his residence. 

The body ofthe soldier who had been killed was duly convey- 
ed to camp, and buried with the usual solemnities. The two 
Southerners were captured, and, upon trial, were condemned to 
death J but as they were proved to be regularly enlisted soldiers 
in the Confederate States Army, at home on a furlough, and as 
retaliation, in case of their execution, was threatened, the sen- 
tence was set aside, and they were held as prisoners of war. 

Pavy and McCune did not loag enjoy the freedom gained by 
their swiftness of pace, for on the eighth of the same month a 
considerable part ofthe divisiontowhich they belonged was cap- 
tured by the enemy, and sent to a military prison in Texas for 
the remainder ofthe war. As far as we can learn, Privates Pav}^ 
and McCune were two members of the 48th Ohio Veteran Yol- 
unteer Infantry, who shared this fate. 



j^HAPTE^ 7L|||, 



DOWN HILL. 

Sheridan's Instructions — Why the Feds Withdrew — The Colonel's Horse — Hunt- 
ing a Captor — Under the Tree — Willing to be Plucked — No Orderly There 
— The Colonel's Guard — The Adjutant — An Affecting Story — A Halt — In tlie 
Shadow — Obligingly Forgetful — Kolling Down the Hill — An Alarming Bugle 
— Doubt — Yankee Doodle — With Friends. 

SHERIDAIST had been sent to the valley of the Shenandoah 
with two words of instruction : " Go in." He obeyed, and 
in many a hot skirmish had given the enemy a terrible foretaste 
of Winchester and Cedar Creek. In one of these fierce brushes 
between portions of brigades, occurred a capture, with the con- 
sequences of which we have now to deal. 

A regiment of cavalry belonging to Sheridan's command, had 
fallen upon a Confederate wagon-train, expecting, by one wild 
dash, to deprive the Johnnies of their scanty supplies for manj' 
a day to come. But 

" The best laid plans of mice and men 
Gang aft aglee." 

The train was well guarded, and the first charge met with a 

decided repulse. Col. W says that they withdrew only to 

acquire a greater impetus for a second charge; but if so, their 
motives were grievously misunderstood by the Eebs, who came 
hot-foot after them. 

But we are narrating facts, not discussing motives. The Fed- 
eral regiment did charge upon the Confederates, and the latter 
were not beaten back. As the bluecoats returned, with more or 
less rapidity of movement, to their original position, one of the 

bullets which were flying about them, struck Col. W 's horse, 

448 



Down Hill. 



449 



inflicting a mortal wound. The injured animal gave a leap for- 
ward, as if he would fain have carried his rider to a place of 
safety, then fell to the earth, carrying the officer with him. So 
rapid was the retreat, so hot the pursuit, that before the colonel 
could disengage his feet from the stirrups, he was completely 

surrounded by the ene- 
my. Dragging himself 
from under 'the mass of 
flesh that had so lately 
borne him, he found that 
he was almost disabled 
by the fall. His faith- 
ful orderly, disdaining 
safety for himself, when 
his colonel was in dan- 
ger, knelt beside him. 

A moment more, and 
the enemy had passed, 
leaving the two Feds in 
the rear. A private, who 
was not so eager in the 
pursuit as he was curi- 
ous as to the results, 
stopped a moment, and 
proceeded to investigate 
by poking the prostrate 
A Bad Fall. bluecoat in the ribs. 

" Quit that, will yowV growled the orderlj^ ; '' he ain't dead." 
"Ain't he? Then go to the rear, both of you," returned the 
lordly captor. 

The orderly had drawn his arm through his horse's rein, and 
thus kept the animal by his side while attending to the officer; 
but of this care he was now relieved by their captor, who at once 
possessed himself of the charger. Repeating his command to 
go to the rear, the Reb rode gaily oft\ leaving them to do as they 
chose about obeying. 

They had not much choice in the matter, however, for con- 
straint was only a question of time. The enemy was between them 
and their friends ; they could not hope to be left where they 
were, even if the graycoats "fell back to gain an impetus," as 
their opponents in blue had done. 




450 Down mil. 

"Are you luu't badly, Colonel ?" asked the orderly, in a com- 
miserating tone. 

" My leg seems to be stiff from the horse's weight on it, and I 
got a pretty heavy blow on my head that makes me dizzy, but 
there are no bones bix)ken." 

"Well, replied his companion, in a deliberate and business- 
like tone, "you'd better rest awhile, for we may have to march 
soon. Let me help you over to this tree; you can lean against 
it; and you'd better j^ut your watch and money in your arm- 
pits." 

Slowly and with some difficulty the change of place was ac- 
complished, and there some slight attention was paid to the offi- 
cer's injuries, while the fresh breeze, that had just sprung up, 
assisted the contents of his canteen in driving away his faint- 
ness. His superior attended to, the orderly proceeded to accou- 
ter himself for the fate which seemed inevitable. His prepara- 
tions were brief: the removal of his money and a photograph 
from his pocket to his belt, which he buckled inside of his trous- 
ers — that was all. 

"You'd better do it as early in the day as you can, orderly," 
remarked the colonel, who had been silently watching this 
proceeding; "you'll be between two fires, you know, and that 
won't give you a very good chance." 

" This is as good a time as any, I guess," answered the satel- 
lite, who had not spoken a word since giving his advice as re- 
corded ; "or rather, it would be if it wasn't for your hurt. It's 
rather hard to leave j'ou here, bound for Libby." 

"Don't mind," began the officer — when the voice of remon- 
strance was drowned in a " Eebel yell." 

"Hi! thar! Two Yanks settin' agin' a tree!" 

"Thought they wuz off, I reckon," chuckled the companion to 
whom this choice speech, garnished as it was by oaths, was ad- 
dressed ; " git outer that, you !" 

The prisoners proceeded to obey this last command by meek- 
ly arising and confronting their new captors. 

"I'll take you to the general — that's what I'll do," announced 
the first: "now git, and be right smart about it, too." 

Neither of them made any answer in words, but the orderly, 
who had reasons of his own for so doing, submissively handed 
over his revolver. The first Confederate took it without word 
or sign of acknowledgment. In the same dumb show the ser- 



Doum mil. 451 

geant pulled his tobacco from his pocket, and proffered that; the 
Southerner gave a little nod of thanks as his hand closed over it. 
So willing a giver must be allowed to follow his bent to the ut- 
most, if not compelled to do so; had he been unwilling, these 
valuables would have been taken by force. 

"Takeoff your boots," demanded the captor. 

The Fed drew them off without a word or gesture to show that 
he was in the least anxious to retain his foot coverings, and, as 
the word of command was given, cheerfully trudged along bare- 
footed. Col. W , being an officer, was not despoiled ; he was 

to be taken to the "gen'ral." 

" Have you anything to eat about you, sir?" asked the order- 
ly meekly, when they had gone some little distance. 

Now, the Confederate belonged to thatclass which the negroes 
designate as " poor white trash." Because the captives did not 
belong to the same class, he was inclined to think they despised 
him. The sergeant's request, then, touched him in a soft spot, as 
it seemed to place them on a level. 

" Dunno but whut I hcv," he replied, rummaging in a haver- 
sack, which was the reverse of inviting in its appearance ; 
"which'll ye take, pork or bacon ?" 

" I guess I'll take a bit of pork, if it's all the same to you," re- 
plied the sergeant, with polite hesitation. 

(" Provisions for the woods," thought the colonel, approving- 
ly ; " he's won that fellow's heart completely.") 

"I'd just as lief you would," returned theproviderof the feast, 
cordially ; " fur I'd ruther hev the bacon myself." 

The road was becoming filled with straggling groups of sol- 
diers, who were now and then scattered to right and left by the 
thundering of six-horse wagons, sent to the rear for safety. Joy- 
fully Col. W .recognized such evidences of the defeat of his 

captors. 

But our friend, the orderly, was not yet left in peace; his blouse 
and cap were demanded, so that only his light blue trousers 
remained to show that he had been clad in the United States 
uniform. His guard paid no attention to the fact that he was 
walking in the dustiest part of a dry, much traveled road, though 

Col.W perceived that at every step he took the dust rose 

knee-high and settled on his clothing, completely disguising the 
color of the one remaining article of his uniform. The officer's 
attention was attracted for a moment in another direction ; when 
29 



452 Down Hill. 

he again looked toward his late attendant, the familiar face was 
not to be seen. Such was the manner of one man's escape from 
durance vile in Libby Prison. 

Col.W dared not look too earnestly in the direction where 

he had previously seen the orderly, lest he attract the attention 
of the guards to the escape. For himself, he had decided to 
wait until after dark, as he thought the chances would be more 
favorable. Avoiding the town of Winchester by a slight de- 
tour, the guards conducted all shoulder-strapped prisoners to the 
office of the provost-marshal, a mile beyond that place. Here 
they were assigned to the care of a young officer, who, for two 
years, had been employed in the safe duty of conducting prison- 
ers to Richmond. From this new representative of the Con- 
federacy Col. W obtained the honor of a special guard, a ser- 
geant having presented the officer with a new pair of gloves, of 
which a private had attempted to despoil him. 

For some time the prisoner made no move toward conciliating 
the sergeant; perhaps he was overwhelmed by the honor; but 
we are inclined to think that he was profiting by the example 
of his orderly. At any rate he said nothing until they had been 
half an hour or so on the way. 

" Pretty brisk rate we are marching at, isn't it, sergeant ?" he 
asked at length. 

" Right smart pace," was the brief reply. 

" I am not familiar enough with the uniforms in your army to 
tell wh(5ther you belong to the infantry or cavalry," remarked 
the Fed. 

Now this was a piece of the finest sarcasm, for at that stage of 
the war, the Confederate "uniform" was whatever the individ- 
ual chanced to possess; and the sergeant's clothes were so torn 
and patched, that it would have puzzled a Philadelphia lawyer 
to have told the original texture and hue of his garments. But 
the sergeant swallowed it all. 

"I belong to the infantry," he answered gravely; "Thii*- 
toenth Virginia; but I have a good deal of duty on horseback." 

The Reb thus gave him to understand that any consideration 
due to either branch of the service was due to him as the rep- 
resentative of both, and Col. W so understood it. 

" Will you, then, accept of my spurs ? I don't suppose I shall 
have any use for them for many a long month." 

"I'm detailed to the provost-marshal," he replied, accepting 



4 



^ Down Hill. 453 

the spurs graciously. "They don't treat a fellow very well 
down at Libby." 

"Were you ever taken prisoner, sergeant?" asked the colon- 
el, with elaborate care to give the title due to his guard's mili- 
itary rank. 

"Onct," was the curt reply. 

"Well, now, you can have your revenge, in treating me as you 
were treated, rej^lied the officer, nonchalantly. 

The Eeb made no answer, but marched stolidly onward; and 
Col. W turned 'his head and looked about him with appar- 
ent carelessness. At his side walked another prisoner, the ad- 
jutant of his own regiment; but no sign of recognition had 
passed between them, for fear that they might be separated. 

"Speak little, and to the point," muttered Col. W , slow- 
ly, his face turned straight forward. 

" Before dark, or after?" asked the adjutant, in the same tone. 

"After," replied the colonel. 

Then for a long time they had no more to say to each other. 

Perhaps an hour had passed, when Col. W again thought it 

safe to communicate with his friend. 

" Got a compass ?" 

"No, I've been robbed of everything." 

" Take mine, then, quick." 

The adjutant shook his head, but the colonel extended the 
compass, and there was no choice but to take it. By thus assist- 
ing the friend who knew less about astronomy, our hero was 
left without a valuable guide through the wilderness of trees 
about him; but with no thought of that, he gave a few hasty 
words of advice as to the direction in which to travel, and said 
no more. 

" But you — ?" began the adjutant, a slight tremor in his voice. 

Col. W turned toward his fellow-prisoner, and looked 

over his head into vacancy. The other, seeing that there was to 
be no further conversation, plunged deep into meditation as to 
the best manner of escape. 

The road along which they were traveling was a deep cut be- 
tween high yellow clay banks, above which rose the over-arch- 
ing trees. Here was no chance to drop out of the ranks as the 

orderly had done, and Col. W had just settled his mind to 

the monotony of the tramp, when much to his surprise, the Con- 
federate sergeant spoke: 



454 JDown JEU. • 

"I was captured in Mar'land." 

" Before G-ettysburg ?" asked the prisoner, with equal brevity 

The man nodded. 

"And how were you treated?" ventured the Federal. 

" Mighty well, considerin' ." 

"I'm glad to hear it," rejoined the other. 

" I laid two months in the hospital at Fred'rick. 'Twant when 
Uncle Bob Lee took that trip of his'n, but in '62, at Boonsboro. 
I was shot, an' a Yank war shot — me in the hip, an' him in the 
lungs. He spit blood when he called out for water, as he laid 
there by me." 

"And you — ?" 

"I said : 'Here's water, Yank;' an' then I rolled over an' guv 
him my canteen to drink out of; there war jest a drop left in it. 
' I'm a goin' to die.' says he ; * Yes,' says I ; 'an' says he : 'I hope 
3'-ou'll live to get home ; they'll take you to the hospital an' treat 
you well,' says he. < Thank you,' says I ; then he pulled out 
his terbacker an' a roll of money, an' guv it to me. An' then he 
died." 

Col. W looked at the rough, uneducated fellow beside him 

who told with such rude pathos of that scene on the battlefield , 
and mutely wondered what was the sequel to it. 

"Poor fellow !" he sighed, in audible reply at last; "there's 
many a thoughtful, generous heart stilled by a bullet." 

" Ef it war only the good-fur-nothin' creeters that wuz killed, 
we might stand it," returned the sergeant, philosophically; "but 
it ain't. Now I want to give back some of that money to you." 

Suiting the action to the word, he drew forth a small roll of 
bills — the dead "Yankee's" last month's pay. 

"To me?" exclaimed the colonel, in surprise. 

"Yes," replied the Eeb, " 'taint mine, you see; its his'n; an' he 
meant it for poor fellows in prison. You'll need it down there." 

Gratefully Col. W accepted the offered money, and then 

and there registered an unspoken vow to return it at the earliest 
possible opportunity to some " poor fellow in prison," be he 
friend or foe." 

"There's one thing, though," he said to the guard, "I wish you'd 
do for me. Won't you take my watch and keep it for me? It's 
sure to be taken away from me if you don't." 

"Don't care if I do," answered the gray-jacket; and com- 
plied with the request. 



Down Hill. 455 

About half-past six came the order to halt. They had now 
emerged from that narrow cut, though still in the woods. As 
they stood huddled together, the prisoners surrounded by a ring 
of soldiers, the wagons lumbering past them, a new hope arose 
in the heart of more than one captive. Surely, since the prisoners 
were halted to let the wagons pass, there must be a fast and furi- 
ous pursuit. The Confederates could better afford to lose their 
prisoners than their stores ; so they were putting in a place of 
safety that which they valued most. 

Falling into line again after a number of teams had passed 

them, the party of which Col. W was one soon emerged from 

the woods, and marched between open meadows. Up a slight 
ascent they passed, halting a second time on the brow of a low 
ridge. With anxious eyes our hero peered through the gather- 
ing darkness, to see what chance awaited him. He had not seen 
the adjutant for some time, so that he felt assured of his escape. 
Now was the time to make good his own, for they would soon be 
so far within the Eebel lines as to make the attempt a hundred 
times more hazardous. The night was a cloudy one, and the 
warm, damp air had brought double weariness upon them. 

The prisoners were some thirty yards from the roadside, the 
guards being posted here and there, so as to encircle them as 
nearly as the comparative numbers of captives and captors would 
permit. There were no fences j all fence-rails had long since fed 
camp-fires. Here and there a tree stood blackly outlined against 
the dark sk}^ ; and on the very summit of the slight elevation 
which they had ascended, was a thick, low clump of bushes, per- 
haps five feet high. Col. W was nearer to these bushes than 

any one else ; his especial guard was within arm's length of him : 
there was no other Southerner less than twenty yards away. 

Would the sergeant be watchful? That was the problem which 
time alone could solve. If he were, there was of course no 
chance; if he were not — oh, if only he would relax his vigilance ! 

With the wisdom of the serpent, whom he was soon to emulate 
in another particular. Col. W had spoken of extreme drow- 
siness. He had walked sleepily along, occasionally nodding as 
they made a momentary halt. What could be more natural, then, 
than that he should lie down on the long, dry grass on the top of 
the ridge, and take a nap ? Certainly his guard did not raise any 
objections, but went off, seeing the prisoner safely asleep, to 
speak to some of his comrades. Before he was half-a-dozen yards 



456 Down Mil 

away the '^sleeping" man had rolled, unconsciously of course, in- 
to the shadow of the bushes. The sergeant did his errand j and 
sauntered back with the air of a man who was " off duty;" and 
Col. TV rolled a little farther into theshadows of the bushes. 

"If I am found here," he reasoned, "it will not excite any es- 
pecial remark. Did I not tell him I was sleepy ? And is not a 
sleeping man apt to roll about? No, if I am found, it will not ap- 
pear that I was trying to escape and thus the result will not be 
a diminution of favor." 

The remainder of the wagons passed them while they were 
halted here on this ridge; and after a rest of about an hour, the 
command was given to move onward. "Wearily they took up the 
march through the dark September night, guards and prisoners 
alike fatigued by the day's fight and the succeeding tramp. The 

sergeant who had been appointed as Col. TV 's keeper had his 

own proper duties to look after; the others were content to sur- 
round what prisoners they saw, since none could have escaped 
through the cordon of Confederates, down the slope of a hill bar- 
ren of shelter. 

Theslumberer in the shadow of the bushes was' not so fast 
asleejD butthat he heard the commands to proceed; nor was he 
deaf to the stir of departure. Almost breathlessly he lay there, 
fearful lest the breeze, rustling through the leaves, should sound 
to them like the movements of a concealed prisoner. At last 
they had set off; the sergeant had been obligingly forgetful; and 
the sound of their footsteps was lost in the multitudinous noises 
of the night. 

Troops were still traveling along the road, and even when the 
rearguard had passed, there would be plenty of stragglers. To 
make matters worse, the clouds were now passing away, and 
though there was no moon, any figure might be seen when out- 
lined against the clear, dark sky. When he had once left the 
shelter of this clump of bushes, he would be seen as soon as he 
raised himself to his feet. Put the hill between himself and the 
road he dared not, for the country was wholly strange to him, 
and he could only hope to be assured of reaching his destination 
by retracing the steps he had taken during the day. The road 
must, at all hazards, be kept in view ; but there was an equal 
necessity for concealing himself from those who were traveling 
along the road. 

Ecmoving jacket and cap, the Federal benevolently left them 



AM 



Down HML 



457 



W" 




for any one who might chance to find them. His money, includ- 
ing the sergeant's gift, was fastened securely in his waistband. 
His handkerchief was bound about his head. Then holding his 
arms straight at his side, and stretching himself at full length 
uj)on the grass, he began the descent. 

"Eolling off a log," may be the easiest thing in the world, but 
our escaping prisoner found rolling down a hill neither easy nor 
pleasant. Straws and peb- 
bles are trifles under or- 
dinary circumstances, but 
ground into the flesh, or 
slipping between the cloth- 
ing and the skin, they are 
not so. Another difficulty 
lay in the tendency of the 
head to revolve around the 
body, making it almost im- 
possible for W to keep 

the even tenor of his way, 
parallel to the high road. 

But even this plan, fraught 
as it was with difficulties 
and discomforts, was not 
feasible for the whole time. 
Although, as we have said, 
fences were in that section 
of the country a thing of 
the past, there were other 
methods of dividing from 
each other the various fields 
on that long slope. Here ^'^"^^ ^''^^'''^• 

was a ditch, through which the waters of a little stream that 
once flowed along the tortuous course of yonder ravine, had 
been guided for a boundary line. That same ravine, with its dry 
and rocky bed, presented much the same difficulty. On reach- 
ing such an obstacle, he must, perforce, quit the sheltering arms 
of earth for a moment, and, gathering all his powers for the 
effort, leap to the other side. 

The interposition of a hedge was even a greater discourage- 
ment; but though torn and bleeding from his encounter with it, he 
managed at last to pass it. He was soon obliged to give up, fur 




458 Down Hill. 

a time at least, his purpose of rolling, for his arms became so 
crushed as to make him doubt if he ever would regain the use of 
them. To escape from the danger of Libby was much, but to be 
thus maimed for life was no small thing. As a variety in the 
mode of proceeding, then, he lay flat on the ground, face down- 
ward, and by extending his arms and then contracting all his 
muscles, managed to hump himself along in a style certainly the 
reverse of graceful, and extremely suggestive of the most subtle 
of the beasts of the field. 

At last, after weary hours of this toilsome journeying, the base 
of the long slope was reached. Here in the rich soil of the val- 
ley was a closer growth both of trees and underwood, and Col. 

W was at last able to assume an erect position. Having once 

more the use of his feet, he was able to make better time, and in 
little more than an hour had made more progress than in six 
times the period during the night. 

The cool air grew gray with the approach of dawn. Still the 
road was near him, but on it he dared not yet venture. Sudden- 
ly through the stillness of the early morning broke a bugle-note, 
mellowed and softened by the distance. Who were the horsemen 
who were thus summoned ? "Were they long-delayed Confeder- 
ates, or were they advancing Federals ? Hardly the latter, for 
the road was not yet clear of stragglers ; and still — why should 
any gray-jackets be so far in the rear of the retreating forces ? 
Could it be that after all he had become confused in the dark- 
ness, and followed a branch of the road which should have been 
his guide — a branch that led into the enemy's certain grasp? 

Worn out by the exertions of the night following those of the 
day, and faint for lack of food (he had not tasted any for seven- 
teen hours) he was almost ready to believe in this last horrible 
conjecture. At any rate, he could not, by any certain recollec- 
tion to the contrary, disprove his own fears. 

When he had first heard the bugle, he had dropped instinct- 
ively behind the huge trunk of a fallen tree, which lay some thir- 
ty feet from the roadside. Here, applying his ear to the earth, 
he learned that a party of men had halted not far ofi', and were 
making a fire. This last he inferred, from the fact that he heard 
the chopping and breaking of branches. Again the bugle sound- 
ed, sharp and clear, but no horsemen appeared in answer to the 

summons. Cautiously Col. W left his hiding-place and 

crept in the direction of the noises. It had been raining for 



Down mil. 459 

the last few hours, and the earth was thoroughly soaked, the 
branches dripping. Slowly he made his way towards the fire, 
and succeeded in reaching, unobserved, a point which was near 
enough for him to see those around it. There were but two, 
the bugler and one other j but even the sight of these did not 
remove his doubts. Those felt hats were not distinctive, nor 
were the ponchos which covered them from the rain. A long 
time he waited for some clear view of their uniforms. At last, 
worn out by the trials of the night, and knowing that at an}- 
rate he must be discovered when the bugle-call was obeyed by 
the others of the party, he had almost made up his mind to sur- 
render himself. His bruised and aching body, he felt assured, 
could not endure much more. 

But no ; there was yet a chance, even if these did prove to be 
Confederates; weary and sore as he was, he made shift to con- 
ceal himself in the upjier branches of the tree behind which ho 
had been standing. Here he might, at any rate, remain unob- 
served ; and here he would stay through the day, if these were 
not — 

Hark ! the bugle-blast again ! And following the call came a 
few notes, harsh and loud to other ears, but the sweetest music 
to our fugitive — the opening measures of Yankee Doodle. It 
was indeed a scouting party of Sheridan's that was to assemble 
here for a hasty breakfast. They had been %riding all night, 
and their delay in obeying the summons was not due to any lack 
of appetite. But he who ate the coarse fare and drank the black 
cotfee with most relish, was one who had not set out with them; 
an unexpected, but not an unwelcome guest ; for in those days 
a man who escaped from Libby or Andersonville, or even the 
shadow of them, was welcomed as was the Prodigal Son, with 
the fat of the land. 



j:;hapt£r 7y Y' 



A CAPTIVE "TIGER" 

Situation of the Armies — Lee's Invasion of Pennsylvania — Battle of Gettysburg 
—The Tiger Caught— The Tiger Caged— Life at Fort Delaware— Two Souls 
With But a Single Tiiought — The Life Preservers — The Galvanized — Under 
the Carpenter-Shop — An Indulgent Sentry — The Iron-Clads Tested — Success. 

ANEW" constellation had arisen in the political sky — a 
group of eleven stars, each one symbolizing a sovereign 
State in arms for the defense of her sovereignty. It rose rap- 
idly at first, then more slowly; until, in the first months of the 
year 1863, it seemed higher than that other constellation, which 
now numbers thirty-eight stars. In plain English, at this time 
it was thought probable that the Confederate States would se- 
cure the independence for which they were battling with all 
their might. 

But now their fortunes began to decline; and the national 
anniversary of 1863, while it saw a thousand homes in mourn- 
ing, saw also a double thanksgiving for victory. The lightning 
had flashed it over the country; Gettysburg and Vicksburg, 
North and South, both beheld the Stars and Stripes waving tri- 
umphantly; the stars and bars, shot-riddled and blood-stained 
as the rival banner, but furled in token of defeat. 

Two years the result had trembled in the balance; for two 

years longer hope was to predominate over fear in the minds 

of those who watched, with anxious e3'es, the wavering fortunes 

of the whole country. Here, at this turning-point, let us pause 

a moment, living over again those days of conflict in reading the 

story of one of the soldiers. 

Early in May of this year, the Confederate generals had ro- 

4G0 



A Captive "Tiger." 461 

solved upon carrying the war into the enemy's country. Vir- 
ginia and other Southern States had long been devastated by 
the invading armies, and impoverished by the necessity of sus- 
taining both forces. The Confederacy must be partly relieved 
of the burden thus laid upon her, and the Northern States made 
to bear it. Chancellorville was the first battle of the campaign 
begun with this end in view, but it had brought no decisive ad- 
vantage to either side; for whatever the South might have 
gained, was lost when Stonewall Jackson died. 

Lee moved cautiously and slowly northward, his army of one 
hundred thousand men proceeding by various routes toward the 
Potomac. The three divisions under Ewell, Longstreet and A. 
P. Hill united at Hagerstown, Md.,and prepared to march upon 
Harrisburg. But every movement was closely watched by the 
enemy in whose country they were. The concentration of the 
Confederate forces rendered an attack an unwise move for the 
Federal generals until their own forces should be similarly uni- 
ted, and, for the time being, Gen. Meade contented himself with 
efforts to intercept the supplies of the invading forces and har- 
rass the rear. 

To the Virginian general it was clear that he must dispose of 
Meade before the object of this campaign could be accomplished. 
He ordered a concentration of his forces, which had again separ- 
ated after their meeting at Hagerstown, fixing the place for this 
near Gettysburg. Not until the Confederates were within six 
miles of the town did they discover that the enemy was in pos- 
jession of it. 

A mile or so to the south of the town is an eminence called 
Culp's Hill. Curving to the west, and then running south, is a 
continuation of this elevation, now famous as Cemetery Eidge; 
terminating in Little Eound Top and Eound Top. Eocky ledges 
and stone walls had here made a natural rampart, and the Fed- 
eral forces added to these defenses such breastworks as might 
be hastily thrown up. On the ridge to the north-west, a mile 
and a half away, were the Confederates, sheltered by the trees 
which clothed the sides of the slope. Gold and green the grain 
fields and meadows lay between the opposing armies; the thirst}' 
cattle waded knee-deep into the pasture-pools and streams, and 
stood placidly chewing their cud, and gazing with large calm 
eyes upon the surrounding verdure. 

Such was the scene upon which the roar of the cannon, the 



462 A Gajytive "Tiger." 

crack of musketry, and the thunder of hoofs broke that sum- 
mer morning. All day long the battle raged; and at night the 
combatants slept on their arms. The next morning all were 
eager for the fray; the Confederates, to pursue the advantage 
which they had gained; the Federals to retrieve the loss of 
ground which they had suffered. 

As the sailor sweeps the horizon with his glass, and finally 
fixes it upon some one point; so, having thus briefly viewed this 
great battle-field, we turn our attention to one portion of it, to 
one obscure actor in that mighty scene. 

Among all the regiments that took part on either side, there 
was none in which the esprit du corps was more fully developed 
than in a certain Louisiana command which, by its readiness to 
fight on any and all occasions, had won for itself the honorable 
soubriquet of the " Tigers." And very proud they were of thi? 
nickname ; so proud, that many accused them of choosing it for 
themselves. 

Be that as it may, they well deserved it. Tigers in battle, un- 
tamably fierce when aroused by the sight of blood ; when the 
fight was over, they were once more men, ready to succor, not 
only their comrades, but their wounded foes. 

Our hero, whom we will call X , was a private in this com- 
mand. Charging with his comrades up the slopes of Cemetery 
Heights, he fell, wounded. The tide of battle had not yet turn- 
ed against the Confederates; and while the Tigers dashed up- 
ward and onward toward the cannon-crowed summit, tender, 
yet strong hands bore the injured from the field. A rude apol- 
ogy for a hospital was situated at the rear of the Confederate po- 
sition; provided, doubtless, with bedding from the stores of 
many a careful housewife who would far rather have given it to 
the other side. To this X was borne ; his wound was dress- 
ed, and for two days and nights he lay, helplessly wondering 
what was to come next. 

On the 4th, the battle had been ended ; the tide had turned, 
and the invasion was repelled. And now our wounded hero felt 
himself not too severely injured to join in the retreat. Hope of 
exchange there was none; if he were captured, he must not ex- 
pect to rejoin his command. At his earnest entreaty, then, a 
comrade secured him a horse, and though scarcely able to keep 
his seat in the saddle, the dread of a military prison kept up his 
strength. 



A Captive ''Tiger:* 463 

The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak j and when, at 
Waterloo, Maryland, his horse broke down, he gave up hope of 
reaching Virginia again. Fortunately for him, however, as he 
thought, the generosity of a messmate who had, like himself, 
been wounded in the battle, gave him a *'lift," and riding double 
on the old cavalry hack with which the other was provided, and 
which was not quite so far gone as X 's, they reached a hav- 
en of safety — the camp, for the night, of the wagon-train of the 
Confederates. 

The guard had been on the march for many hours, and the 
men were thoroughly worn out. With all care, however, senti- 
nels were posted, and the safety of the bivouac, apparently, se- 
cured. But the Yanks, though equally tired by marching and 
fighting, were chasing a retreating enemy; their energy, then, 
was more unwearied than that of the dejected, defeated Confed- 
erates. Perhaps the sentinels slept; perhaps they were seized 
and overpowered before they could give the alarm ; at any rate, 
in the *'wee, sma' hours" of that midsummer morning, the blue- 
coats made a sudden dash uj)on the camp. The guard defended 
the wagons as well* as they could ; the teamsters hastily made 
ready to continue the retreat. For some moments the fight was 
a sharp one; then the Confederates were driven from their 
camp, and the victorious Federals remained in possession. They 
had captured fifty of the wagons, and taken many prisoners; 
among the latter was our friend X . 

But the attacking party was in the midst of dangers too great 
for prudence to encounter; what they feared most was the loss 
of their booty, so, releasing their prisoners on parole, they hast- 
ily returned to the main body. X crept to a little deserted 

school-house near the line of march, and lay there until morning, 
when his resting-place was discovered by another party of Fed- 
erals. The officer in command laughed at his parole as useless, 
and sent him, with others in the same plight, to the care of a sur- 
geon at Waynesborough, Pa. Here and at Harrisburg, to which 
city he was soon removed, he was treated with much kindness ; 
both by those in charge of the hospital and by the ladies who 
made a point of visiting the wounded, whether friend or foe. 

But a removal to Fort Delaware, as soon as his wound was 
healed, brought him to prison life in earnest. How they shiver- 
ed in the barracks where the wind whistled through the crevices 
as through the rigging of a ship, and the snow drifted in every- 



464 A Captive ''Tiger." 

where; how they longed that more than five gallons of beans 
might be allowed to one hundred and twenty gallons of water, in 
making the soup, of which each man received a cup daily; 
how they mourned when, by way of punishment for some gen- 
eral offense, the ration of fifteen ounces 6f bread was cut down 
one-half; how, the morning of that New-Year's day, which is pro- 
verbial throughout the countrj^ for the sudden severity of cold, 
they crowded about the stoves, three hundred men around each 
fire, with but a wheel-barrow-load of coal to last through the 
twenty-four hours ; how they cursed the capriciousness of their 
captors, when an order that had allowed them to write to friends 
or relatives for money or clothing would be rescinded before an 
answer could be received, and the supplies thus sent would be 
confiscated on their arrival at the prison — on these things we 
will not dwell, lest our story be too long. 

But all these things sank deep into our Tiger's heart, as he 
heard the vague rumors of battle that pierced even the prison 
walls ; and he longed with all his heart to be once more with the 
army. As he slowly paced the scant limit of ground allowed 
for exercise, one bright day in early June, a companion in mis- 
ery accosted him. 

''You look like you've lost your best friend and could not go 
to the funeral, X ," he said. " What's the matter ?" 

" Matter enough," replied the Louisianian, gloomily, as his 
eyes rested upon the blue blouse of the guard ; "■ to think of a 
year ago, and" — 

"Be careful," interrupted the other, 'Mf ever you mean to 
make your regrets bear fruit." 

This was said with a warning glance at the sentry, who was 
looking in their direction as if interested in their conversation. 

X said nothing in reply, but having reached the limit of 

his walk, turned. A glance had assured his companion that 
there was more to be said on that subject. As they came to a 
bench, sufficiently far from the sentinel to be out of hearing, 
X sank upon it, and motioned his companion to a seat be- 
side him. 

"What did you mean?" he asked eagerly; "what did you 
mean by regrets bearing fruit?" 

His companion, whom we will call B , looked nonchalant- 
ly about him, nodded to a comrade across the yard, and finally 
answered: 



.J 



A Captive "Tiger." 465 

" Don't seem too mush excited about it, or you will be sure to 
attract suspicion; but can't we contrive some pl'an to get out of 
this place ?" 

"What kind of a plan?" asked X , helplessly, being half- 
bewildered by the business tone in which his companion spoke. 

" D — n it, if I knew, I wouldn't be here," replied B , with 

a short laugh. Then he turned to speak to a fellow-prisoner 
who chanced to be passing; and not another word would he 
speak on the subject that day. 

X had not dared to exj)ress to any one his long cherished 

hope of eifecting an escape, for it seemed so forlorn as to be 
worthy only of ridicule. Here was a comrade, however, to 
whom he need not fear to unfold his inmost heart, and with new 
zest he set to work to think out a path to freedom. 

Various plans that he had canvassed in his own mind and re- 
jected as impracticable were reconsidered, but not one of them 

seemed to suit the requirements. And B 's avoidance of a 

private confab prevented any discussion. Not until the after- 
noon of the day after that on which the subject had been broach- 
ed did they again have an opportunity. 

<* Have you thought of a plan ?" asked B , looking cautious- 
ly about him. 

" Yes," answered X , doubtfully; " but it's risky." 

"Of course," assented B , in an encouraging tone. 

"I suppose the risk is a matter of course, but every way I can 

think of seems to have so many *ifs' about it," rejoined X ; 

" now this one — you know that oil-cloth of mine — how thick 
it is?" 

"Yes?" replied B , inquiringly. 

"We'll make that into two life-preservers, and swim out." 

B looked at him, half smiling. 

"If I thought you would not be offended by a candid expres- 
sion of opinion," he said, "I should say that you were crazy." 

"Why?" demanded X . 

"You speak of swimming out as if it would be the easiest 
thing in the world," rejoined the other ; " don't you know — but 
of course you do — that every time we go in bathing there's a big 
squad stationed on the bank to keep us from going too far out ?" 

"Not then," returned X , with some impatience ; and pro- 

ceeded to unfold his plan. 

Perhaps it will be better if we follow the execution of the pro- 



466 A Captive ''Tiger." 

ject, rather than listen longer to the two friends ; for there are 
many circumstances which, perfectly well known to them, re- 
quire explanation when the story is told to others. 

Procuring a supply of shoemaker's wax and thread, under the 
pretense that they were going to repair their own shoes, they 
cut the oil-cloth into four pieces, which were sewed together so 
as to make two bags. The seams were well waxed, so that the 
whole affair was impervious to water. The opening at the upper 
end was barely large enough to insert a spool, which was provi- 
ded with an air-tight plug. Two sets of straps were fastened to 
each bag, one set near the top, the other lower down. 

It was a novel kind of life-preserver, to which they intended 
to trust themselves (if they succeeded so far as to get a chance 
to do so) without the usual preliminaries of a thorough but safe 
test. The upper straps were to fasten the bag about the neck, 
the lower ones to 'hold it in position by being fastened around 
the waist. Bending the head a little, and placing the lips to the 
opening in the spool, the bag could soon be inflated, and was 
large enough to render material assistance in keeping afloat, if, 
indeed, it were not sufficiently buoyant to make such efforts un- 
necessary. 

Ingenious as this arrangement was, its inventor made no ef- 
fort to secure a patent from the United States Grovernment; in- 
deed, he guarded it most jealously from the eyes of those who 
represented Federal authority at Fort Delaware; and it is safe 
to say, that not one of the officials there knew that there was 
snch an inventive genius under their charge. 

Some of the prisoners had taken the oath of allegiance to the 
United States Government, but whether from a failure to observe 
some necessary form, or whether they had to pass through a pe- 
riod of probation, they had not yet been released. These "gal- 
vanized" men, as they were dubbed by their still rebellious 
brethren, were considered " trooly loil," and were allowed many 
privileges which were denied to the others. Among these, was 
the liberty of the island until nearly dark. If the "galvanized" 
chanced to be detailed for any particular work, he had, of course, 
even greater freedom. 

Those who had remained faithful to their oaths as soldiers of 
the Confederacy, held these renegades in small esteem ; but our 
Tiger and his friend were not at all particular as to the charac- 
ter which they should assume in order to escape. They were 



A Captive "Tiger." 467 

lodged in the barracks next to those occupied by the ''galvan- 
ized" men, and hoped, by passing through the cook-room, to ob- 
tain their liberty so far as the island itself was concerned. 

Day after day they waited and watched for an opportunity, 
until the expression, " happy as the day is long," acquired new 
meaning for them. It was July 23d, 1864, before they judged 
that the time had come. A detail of the "galvanized" came in- 
to the prison-yard about the middle of the afternoon, to clear 
up the dirt and trash which had accumulated there. 

"Now's our chance, B ," said the Tiger to his friend j "we 

need not risk going through the cook-room, where we might be 
found out and sent back. We can help these fellows load up, 
and the guards, seeing us busy with the cart, will let us pass 
without question." 

" Don't be too sure of that," replied his more cautious com- 
rade; " but maj'be it is less uncertain than the other." 

So they worked with a will, that hot afternoon. The July sun 
blazed down upon the treeless prison-yard, and the "galvaniz 
ed" were only too glad to find such willing helpers. In fact, 
they were very unwilling to work at all, and did not care, so 
that only they escaped punishment for not having the yard 
clean at the designated time. 

By some means or other the two friends had secured a couple 
of blue blouses, and with these disguises they were of course not 
as easily detected as if they had been in their ordinary cloth- 
ing. No one knew of that highly original style of life-preserv- 
er concealed under the coarse army blue cloth. 

At last the yard was clean, and the cart loaded with the rub- 
bish which had been removed from it. Shouldering their tools, 
spades, mattocks and brooms, the detail followed it out of the 
prison-yard. One of the men gave a curious glance at the faces 
of the Confederates, but seeing their blue blouses, and knowing 
that they had really been at work with the others, looked away 
without saying anything to them. A half-smile played a mo- 
ment on his lips as he turned his eyes from them, and his gaze 
was for a moment fixed upon vacancy; then he gave a light 
sigh, and that was all. Did he know them for prisoners trying 
to escape? Surely he must. Was his heart really with the 
struggling Confederacy, that he should thus, by his silence, as- 
sist in giving her two more soldiers? Or did he feel so deep a 

sympathy for the prisoners that he would not, for mere human- 
30 



468 A Captive "Tiger." 

ity's sake, betray their efforts to regain their freedom ? Or was 
he so convinced of the uselessness of their endeavors that he 
felt they might as well hope a moment longer, since in a short 
time all hope must vanish. No man knows j we can only con- 
jecture; let us give him credit for what we consider the best 
motive. 

The volunteer assistants marched soberly towards the fort 
with the "galvanized" as if they had been real members of the 
detail. Only the man who had looked at them so curiously did 
not vouchsafe a second glance in their direction; his ej'^es were 
turned as resolutely to the front as the strictest martinet could 
desire. Had the Tiger and his friend evaded the guards thus 
far merely to escort the cart-load of trash to the dump? So 
it would have seemed, to one, who saw them returning as con- 
tentedly to the prison. But no; they were but watching their 
chance. 

Beside the road stood a small framed building, used as a car- 
penter shop. It was within a pistol shot from the fort, and not 
a tree or shrub was near it ; yet it was their only hiding-place. 

X 's heart sank into his dilapidated boots, and would have 

gone out of the holes, if it had not been a little too large, when 
he saw that there was no other possible shelter. Hastily touch- 
ing B 's arm as they approached this building, he gave one 

expressive glance toward it. That was enough; B compre- 
hended at once, and slackened his pace gradually. X did 

the same, so that by the time the detail had reached the building 
they were a few feet in the rear. Quick as thought the prison 
ers darted to the side of the shanty. Boarded up at the front and 
for about half of each side, the space between the floor and the 
ground was open at the rear and along the remainder of the sides. 
Here was as good a hiding-place as they could hope for. Crawl- 
ing under the building, and crouching in one of the sheltered 
corijers, they waited, with beating hearts, to see whether their 
absence would be discovered. 

The detail passed slowly toward the fort. The blue-bloused 
volunteer assistants were not yet missed. But the fugitives 
could not yet venture forth. In daylight they were liable to be 
recognized or at least suspected and questioned; so they must 
wait until night should offer her friendly services. But they 
found that they were not out of danger, even though they had 
not yet been missed. 



A Captive "Tiger/ 



469 



Along the road came a quartet that was to bring them into fear 
and trembling, lest they be discovered — a chicken, a diminutive 
darkey, and two dogs. The first, half running, half-flying, seem- 
ed to be like themselves, an escaping prisoner. In a cloud of 
dust came the breathless pursuers j under the carpenter shop, 
thattempting shelter, ran poor Biddy, and nestled at X 's feet. 




A. Cnfieal Situation. 

''>S'acre.'" he exclaimed, under his breath, as he realized the 

danger which now menaced them. B said not a word, but 

grasped X 's wrist tightly. The hint was enough. Even a 

sigh might betray them. 

The dogs followed the fowl closely, and were soon under the 

building. B , releasing his hold on his friend's wrist, laid 

his hand suddenly upon the the feathered back at his feet. In 
new terror the winged fugitive started up, cackling at the unex- 
pected threat of capture. She flew again to the open air, and the 
dogs pursued her yet more hotly, encouraged by their small mas- 
ter ; while the human game rejoiced that the scent had not yet 
been found. 



470 A Captive ''Tujer." 

As they waited for the day to pass, the summer sunshine, which 
had been but fitful all day long, became clouded yet more dark- 
ly. With much satisfaction they watched the lessening light, 
until, at sunset, the rain-clouds had wholly obscured the sky. 
Darker and darker it grew, as the night and the storm came on 
together. The wind blew a gale; and the very windows of heav- 
en seemed opened as the rain came down in blinding sheets. 
To two pairs of ears, the falling of that summer rain was the 
sweetest of music. 

It was more than an hour after sunset, however, when they 
left their hiding-place, and crept slowly down toward the river. 
Facing Delaware City, and some thirty or forty feet from the 
banks of the river, were the barracks, occupied by the regiment 
on duty on the island. This building was raised on piles like the 
carpenter-shop, but no portion of the space between floor and 
ground was enclosed. Under it thej^ crawled to reconnoiter be- 
fore going farther. 

'' There's one good thing," said X , "we're so wet already 

that the river itself cannot make us any more uncomfortable." 

"Just from Fort Delaware, and talking of being uncomfort- 
able," exclaimed B ; discreetly keeping his voice inaudible 

to any one three feet away. 

"It's because we are out of it that I am beginning to think of 
comfort," retorted X , in the same low tone. 

But they had no time for small talk. The rain had ceased by 
this time, and the wind was still. Their eyes, accustomed to the 
darkness of the summer night, saw distinctly the figures of two 
sentinels, whom they must pass before they could get to the riv- 
er. It was not very encouraging, to say the least; but though 
the game seemed to be going against them, they were playing for 
such high stakes that they would not throw up their hands until 
the last moment. They must play it out to the end. 

"Two o'clock, and all's well," sang out the nearest sentinel. 

"Hope it may be all well at three," muttered X . 

" We must make it so," replied B . "Are you ready ?" 

X nodded. 

"Now for it, then," rejoined his companion. 

Crawling out from under the building, they started on a run. 
One of the sentries was stationed on the bridge leading to the 
sinks, and across this bridge they must go. Fortunately, there 
was no countersign on this part of the island, as there was in the 



A Captive "Tiger." 471 

more immediate vicinity of the prison ; so that if the sentry were 
ordinarily good-natured, he would be apt to let them pass, tak- 
ing them for members of his own command. 

To and fro he paced along the bridge, and soon espied the 
two figures running towards him. Soldierly in bearing they 
undoubtedly were, and their clothes, though limp and wet, 
seemed to be of the same cut as the uniform which he himself 
wore. Where they could be going, he did not know ; doubtless 
on some innocent (?) lark; should he be the one to spoil their 
fun ? Not he. Officers had many liberties ; why should not 
privates be indulged occasionally ? Thus he speculated as the 
two figures approached. 

''You're in a devil of a hurry," he called out to them good- 
naturedly, as they came up. 

Fearful of betraying themselves by a voice unfamiliar to the sen- 
try, they darted past without answering. He looked after them. 

"Might, at least, have given a fellow a civil answer," he mut- 
tered ; " but that's the way. We never think what it is to stand 
sentry until we have to do it, and then we can grumble enough 
at the job. 

With which sapient reflection he shouldered his musket 
again and resumed his solitary walk. 

One more of the safeguards remained to be overcome by the 
prisoners — the outer sentry. But whether he was committing 
the unpardonable crime of sleeping at his post, or whether his 
eyesight was bad enough to have procured him a discharge, or 
whether he considered himself purely ornamental, he took no 
more notice of the fugitives than if they had been a couple of 
mosquitoes; and it may be believed that the Tigers thirsted 
for his blood far less than did the insects. 

" That fellow on the bridge will begin to smell a mice if we 
are not back pretty soon; so we'd better get out of reach as soon 
as possible," remarked X . 

"Yes, he'll be looking for us," answered B , with a sub- 
dued chuckle. 

"He may look, he may sigh. 
With a cold, watery eye ; 
He may look to the bottom 
Of the sea, sea, sea," 

saidX , in reply, under his breath ; and they sprang, not in- 
to the sea, indeed, but into its tributary Delaware. 



472 A Captive '^ Tiger." 

One danger that they feared did not threaten them. They 
thought that the sentries whom they had passed would soon give 
the alarm; but in this they were most fortunately mistaken. 
The guard was relieved in a very short time after our two he- 
roes had escaped the military limits of the island, and the men 
who had been on duty, not wishing to betray the escapade of 
two whom they supposed their comrades, said nothing to those 
who relieved them. 

Inflating their " iron-clads," as the oil-cloth life-preservers 
had been dubbed, the swimmers made their way to the very 
channel of the river. The tide was now going out, but in about 
an hour would turn. At last they got into slack water and then 
found their M'ork comparatively easy. 

At regular intervals the prison authorities cast the light from 
a huge reflector over the surrounding land and water, that the 
guards might be able to detect any unusual appearance. This, 

though perfectly well known to B and X , had, strangely 

enough, been entirely forgotten, until they saw the blinding 
glare on the surface of the rippling water. But the inspection 
by this means had come to be a mere matter of form, and, like 
most such duties, was very negligently performed. The sentinel 
on duty glanced about him carelessly, and then turned away 
again, having made sure, as he thought, that no danger threat- 
ened the prison or prisoners from Avithin or without. 

When the Confederates found that no unusual tumult follow- 
ed this slight inspection, they knew that they were safe, that 
there was no danger of pursuit. Many perils, however, remain- 
ed to bo encountered, even though there were none immediately 
from Fort Delaware. Any chance might betray them to the 
enemy in whose country they still were; and betrayal, of course, 
meant a return to the prison, with added severities of treatment 
as punishment for their daring attempt to escape. 

The tide began to come in before they got across the river, 
and though they swam directly for the shore, they landed near 
the entrance of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, having 
been in the water two hours and a half. For half an hour long- 
er they concealed themselves, the country being wholly unknown 
to them; then, as the eastern sky began to brighten and the 
gray light of dawn make their way clear before them, they left, 
and struck across the country to a small patch of woods some 
three miles away, and liberty. 



;pHAPT£R ^J^Y* 



A CHAPLAIN'S EXPLOIT. 

Left Behind— Sympathy for the Sick — Keal Sympathy — A Mad Undertaking — 
Ridiculed by Comrades — Determined to Go — The Preparations of a Non-Com- 
batant — Approaches the Enemy's Stronghold — "Who Goes There !" — An Unex- 
pected Friend — Passing the Enemy's Pickets — Reaching the Hospital — The De- 
serted Mansion— The Sick Soldier — A Sad Sight — " I Have Come to Take You 
to Camp, Billy" — Challenged— A Close Shave — Through the Darkness— Safe 
at Last. 
ii^lTTELL, I'm mighty sorry for poor Bill Lilly." 

Y Y The speaker was a member of the First Texas Cav- 
ahy ; the time was a night in the winter of 1864-5; the place 
was the temporary camp of the regiment, not far from Simms- 
port, Louisiana. Thirty-six hours before, the Texan troopers had 
been in possession, full and undisputed, of that town on the 
Atchafalaya, a strong military position, as an impassable morass 
and a network of bayous made it a natural fastness. But the 
Federals, three thousand strong, had approached by means of a 
pontoon bridge; the Confederates, sturdy fighters as they were, 
and not inclined to ask favors of any enemy, had found these 
odds against them too great for wise men to combat; and the 
order to retreat was given and obeyed. The battle of Yellow 
Bayou had encumbered their march with many wounded com- 
rades ; those who were able to sit a horse were provided with 
animals; and the more seriously injured were placed in ambu- 
lances; thus, as the colonel thought, all had escaped the terrors 
of captivity in the North. But some few of the troopers discov- 
ered, after they had bivouacked, that there was an exception. 
"What about Bill Lilly?" asked the regimental chaplain, 

473 



474 A Chaplain's Exploit. 

drawing nearer to the group of which the speaker was a mem- 
ber. 

"He was in the hospital, and was left behind," was the reply. 

"Left behind?" echoed the chaplain 3 "why, how did that 
come? I thought all the sick and wounded had been brought 
off." 

" I don't know how it is, sir," answered the trooper; " but it's 
so. Bill had the diphtheria, and maybe they didn't want him 
with the other boys in the ambulances; and in the hurry of the 
retreat they forgot to make special provision for him. It's 
mighty hard on him, falling into the hands of the Yankees 
when he's so sick." 

"Can't we rescue him?" asked the chaplain, thoughtfully 3 
all his sympathies aroused for the boy whom he knew so well. 

The soldiers shook their heads with a smile; the very idea 
was almost preposterous. Go into the enemy's camp, an enemy 
too strong for the entire regiment to face," and attempt to curry 
off a man too sick to keep his place in the saddle? They were 
brave men, and had much sympathy and not a little affection for 
the boy of scarcely seventeen who was thus left in the enemy's 
hands, but they were not inclined to accept the chaplain's in- 
vitation to run their heads into the very jaws of the lion. 

But the Rev. Mr. C had no idea of being laughed out of 

his benevolent purpose ; if he could find no one to go with him, ■ I 
why, he would go alone; his duty was clear enough; so he ex- 
pressed himself. 

"But the dam — I mean the confounded Yanks will be mighty 
hard on any of us that fall into their hands," objected one, in- 
tending his remark to aj^j^ly to C 's case, if he should be 

captured. 

"They've been burning houses right and left, and driving 
women and children from shelter," said a second. 

" Bad as Beast Butler himself," growled a third, refilling his 
pipe. 

" Our boys have been shooting some of their pickets," put in 
a fourth ; " so they're not in any very good humor toward us." 

"All these are first-rate reasons why Billy should not be left 
in their hands," returned the chaplain quietly. 

"But how will you find out where he is?" queried one; "and 
how will you evade the guard ?" 

" Since he is the only one left in the hospital, their attention 



A Cha'plain's, Exploit. 475 

would not be likely to be attracted to the building; it's in an 
out-of-the-way jjlace, you know, and they would be sure to hear 
that we had carried off our sick and wounded." 

Still the soldiers shook their heads doubtfully ; the enterprise 
was too risky, without a fair chance of success, as they thought. 
The chaplain turned away, none the less determined to make 
the venture because he must go alone. 

The hospital was a large building, the former residence of a 
well-to-do family, situated on the bank of Yellow Bayou, a 
half-mile above the bridge which formed the only means of ac- 
cess to the town. To cross this stream at any other point would 
have been simply impossible, as the banks wei'e very abrupt and 
brushy, or else lined with briars through which no horse could 
force his way ; there was no ford, and the bottom was so boggy 
that it would nowhere sustain the-weight of steed and rider. 
But, as the chaplain knew, the Federal camp could not be very 
far from this bridge, which was of course still farther guarded 
by pickets. To cross the bridge unobserved, escape the watch- 
ful eyes of the guard stationed at the one point most likely to 
be assailed, to ride past the camp unnoticed, and, reaching the 
hospital, carry off a man unable to ride alone, by the same peril- 
ous path along which he had already traveled — this was thetask 
which the generous man had set himself. Perhaps, if the troop- 
ers had felt that there was a reasonable chance of success, they 
would not have refused to share the dangers; but it was by no 
means certain that Lilly was not guarded by a sentinel appoint- 
ed for that duty; in such case, the would-be rescuer would have 
to return as he came, even if he were fortunate enough to escape 
the enemy himself. 

The necessary leave was procured, not without a protest from 
the colonel, who expressed himself as certain of the failure of 
the effort as the troopers had been ; but the chaplain was no more 
to be moved by his remonstrances than he had been influenced 
by the reluctance of the others to share his enterprise. Even 
the thought of his wife and children, far away in Texas, failed to 
deter him; this boy was as dear to his father as those children 
vvere to him. 

Night came on, dark and foggy as even C could wish. 

Arming himself with a pair of revolvers and a rifle, and provid- 
ing himself with a due amount of ammunition, he was ready to 
set out. 



476 



A Chaplain's Exploit. 



" Tou are the most unclerical looking chaplain I have seen for 
some time/' remarked a brother officer, surveying the outfit 
quizzicall}^ ; '' indeed you are fit to succeed the Bishop-General 
Polk." 

"I don't know as it is any worse to shoot than to be shot 
at," returned the preacher, stoutly ; " and besides, if I should be 
captured, I should not wish to be so cowardly as to shirk the 
consequences of my own actions, as I should be doing if Itook 

refuge in the fact that I 
am a non-combatant. I 
am going to do a soldier's 
duty, and I have a right 
to a soldier's defenses — 
no more, no less." 

"Don't be afraid; no- 
body would think you 
were a non-combatant." 
But before he was ready 
to set out on his nocturn- 
al ride, certain other 
preparations were neces- 
sary. The wounded boy 
had been without food 
since the retreat on the 
A Non-combatanfs Equipment. previous night; but it 

was of course impossible for him to take solid nutriment, 
Something liquid — suitable for a sick man — must be obtained. 
Stopping at a farm-house which lay on his road, he readily 
enough obtained a bottle of sweet milk for the use of a sick sol- 
dier, his uniform being a guarantee that the invalid was a Con- 
federate ; here, too, he secured a candle and some matches, arti- 
cles with which he had, for some reason (perhaps the best possi- 
ble — thepoverty of the Confederate commissariat), failed to pro- 
vide himself at the camp. Thus he was ready to proceed on his 
errand of mercy. 

Onward he rode through the darkness — blackness so intense 
that no form of house or tree could be discerned through it. Be- 
hind him lay his friends, few, weakened by frequent losses, dis- 
couraged by the capture of their stronghold, weary from the 
long day's march; before him were his foes, strong in numbers. 
triumphant, vigilant as all soldiers had learned to be during four 




Jl 



A Chaplain's Exploit. 417 

years of civil war. A sound is borne to his ears through the 
darkness; it is the Federal drums beating the tattoo. The notes 
echo and re-echo through the stillness; mournfully, as if a la- 
ment over those who fell on the battle-field where he is now 
riding; and his own thoughts are as sad as the sound. 

But from this reverie he was aroused as he drew near to the 
bridge which was his only path of approach ; the sound of a 
horse's hoofs, perhaps of more than one, fell upon his car. Was 
it some escaping Confederate, or was it a Federal officer select- 
ing a favorable spot for the location of a guard? Silently the 
Confederate checked his horse, trusting that, if it were an ene- 
my, the intense darkness would enable him to escape without 
question. But, as the stranger came onward, and he became as- 
sured that there was but one, he saw that this direct approach 
would make a parley necessary. Determined to take the ini- 
tiative, he waited until the new comer was within a few paces. 
His rifle was already cocked and pointed as well as the obscu- 
rity would enable him to take aim; and, in a low, firm voice, he 
commanded a halt. The command was obeyed without the 
least hesitation. 

"Who goes there ?" demanded the chaplain, secretly very 
anxious as to the result of the meeting. 

"A — a friend," stammered the stranger. 

The evident alarm of the other reassured our Texan, and it 
was with a lighter heart, though it could not be with a firmer 
voice, that he asked: 

"A friend to whom?" 

There was a momentary silence, as if the one addressed were 
debating within himself whether it would be well to avow him- 
self at once; then came the reply — oh, how grateful to the lone- 
ly rider from the Southern camp ! 

"To the Confederacy!" and the speaker's voice sounded al- 
most triumphant. 

"All right," answered the chaplain, heartily; "where have 
you come from ?" 

The conversation was now carried on in a lower tone, almost 
a whisper, each being sufficiently reassured to approach near 
enough to the other for that purpose; and both were only too 
well aware of the danger which threatened them. 

"I was caught in Simmsport," returned the stranger, "and 
have only just got away. Who are you ?" 



478 A Chaplain's Exploit. 

" Don't you know me V asked C , recognizing the voice 

of one of the " boys," a sqn of the man at whose house he had 
obtained the milk 3 " I am going to the hospital." 

"To the hospital, Mr. C V repeated the other, in surprise; 

" what in the world are you going there for? Don't you know 
that you will have to pass the Yankee pickets, and their camp too?" 

" I want to get Billy Lilly away," replied the chaplain ; " by 
some oversight, he was left behind in the hospital, and I want 
to help him to get to camp. Do you know anything about it? 
Are the Feds at the hospital ? Or have they carried him to some 
other place?" 

"I really don't know, sir; of course, I was not exactly in their 
confidence, any more than they were in mine — " the soldier 
chuckled grimly — "and they may have captured the man you 
speak of. I don't know as I should know him if I saw him; so 
he might have been in the same prison that I was; but then, 
again, I hardly think they could have found the hospital already; 
they've all had a good deal to do to-day ; and I heard something 
about our sick and wounded being carried off in the retreat." 

"But I suppose you can tell me where the camp is?" asked 
C ; " and something of the location of the pickets ?" 

" Oh yes," answered the trooper, readily; " they have a post 
about a hundred yards from the bridge, over in that direction ; 
and the camp is half a mile away, over yonder; you'll not find 
any trouble with either, I reckon, if you are careful ; though it 
is possible that they may move the pickets ; I don't know wheth- 
er they are regularly posted there or not." 

The soldier had indicated the position of these important 
points by means of locallandmarks perfectly familiar to himself 
and his auditor, but unintelligible to any one not acquainted with 
the actual locality; let it be enough for our purpose, then, to 
state that the camp and hospital, each about half a mile from the 
end of the bridge, were in opposite directions, so that they were 
nearly a mile apart; and that the indicated picket-post must be 
passed very closely by any one who would reach the hospital ; 
since the nature of the ground was such as ta make any devia- 
tion from the road unsafe. 

Thus informed of the position of the enemy, the chaplain bade 
the trooper good-bye, and rode on toward the bridge, which was 
scarcely a hundred yards away. Over this he went slowly and 
cautiously, dreading lest each footstep might be the means of 



1 



A Chaplain's Exploit. 479 

awaking the alarm of the guard to whom he was so close. The 
noble animal that he rode seemed to understand the necessity 
of silence, and set each foot down as softly as a reasoning being 
could have done under the same circumstances. Thus he crept 
onward: at a snail's pace, indeed, but without alarming the en- 
emy so near to him. 

As he gained the farther end of the bridge, a dull red gleam 
which had before been scarcely visible through the fog, now 
brightened into the semblance of a camp-fire; and moving to 
and fro in its glare, dimmed as the radiance was by the condi- 
tion of the atmosphere, he saw plainly the forms of the pickets, 
rendered careless by security. For a moment the chaplain wished 
that he had a regiment at his back; for who could tell but that, 
by a sudden onslaught, the defeat so lately suffered might be re- 
trieved, and the victors driven from the field? But there was no 
time for speculation of any kind; all his powers must be con- 
centrated on the one question of how he was to elude their 
watch, which might be less careless than it seemed ; and, finding 
the invalid, secure the safety of both. 

Although so close, his horse's footfalls were unheard, or at 
least unheeded. At last he had reached a point at which he 
knew it would be safe to leave the main road, and striking off 
to the right, he rode away from the pickets, straight toward the 
hospital. So far, he had succeeded ; but would he find the ob- 
ject of his quest still in the old mansion? That indeed was a 
question which gave him much uneasiness. At last he saw the 
square outlines dimly against the' dark sky; the immense trees 
around it were gaunt and bare; not a sound betrayed the pres- 
ence of man or beast; not a glimmer of light in the windows in- 
dicated that this building was tenanted. Was it deserted ? Had 
they found the young Confederate, and taken him to more easi- 
ly guarded quarters in town? Was the building still used as a 
hospital, and the lights extinguished b}'" reason of the lateness 
of the hour? And as the chaplain rode slowly up the long ave- 
nue leading to the main entrance of the mansion, another ques- 
tion came into his mind. Was Death keeping solitary state in 
the deserted dwelling? Had he come to seek one who was be- 
yond earthly captivity, since the great General had released him 
forever ? 

Securing his horse to a tree, he stole noiselessly to the front door, 
and laid his hand upon the knob. There was not a sound within ; 



480 



A Chaplain's Exploit. 



nothing but the low sobbing of the wind through the branches 
of the surrounding trees. Stay ! — there is not a breath of air 
stirring; is it the wind that now and then makes that faint and 
mournful sound ? He enters the wide hall that runs through the 
middle of the house ; the sobs which had now and then reached 
his ear as he stood without arc heard more distinctly now; he 
can even tell the direction from which they come. Groping his 
way cautiously along, he finds the knob of one of the inner 
doors. The melancholy sounds come from this apartment. Turn- 
ing the knob, he stands within the room, and in a moment more 




The Deserted Comi^ade. 

has struck a match; the candle is lighted, and by its flickering 
blaze he perceives the most mournful object his eyes, accustom- 
ed as they are to the sadder sights of war, have ever beheld. The 
sick soldier, deserted by his friends, and concealed from all oth- 
ers who might have brought him help, sits on the edge of his 
rudely extemporized bed, one arm resting upon his pillow, the 
other hand covering his face, but not concealing the large tears 
which drop slowly to the floor. His slight form, weakened by 
disease and the privations of the last twenty-eight hours (for 
during that space of time he has not had food or water), shakes 



1 



A Chaplain's Exploit. 481 

with the sobs which he cannot control. The gleam of light in 
the room did not at once arouse him from this luxury of grief; 
it could only be an enemy, come to carry him off to the hated 
custody of a blue-coated guard. A moment before, he had felt 
that the presence of any one would be welcome ; but now all the 
soldier's loathing of imprisonment returned with full force. Yet, 
being in the presence of an enemy, he must show himself a man j 
and restraining his sobs with difficulty, he raised his head. All 
this had taken but a moment, though it seemed such an eternity 
to the soldier-boy ; and the chaplain spoke just as he looked up : 

*' I have come to take you to camp, Billy." 

For a moment he sat and looked at the friend who had thus 
unexpectedly come to his relief; then dropping his head again, 
he burst into another fit of weeping, wilderand more uncontrol- 
lable than before. The chaplain at first made no effort to stay 
this evidence of the boy's grateful emotion, feeling that he would 
be the better for giving way to it; then, as the storm of sobs be- 
gan to grow less violent, soothed him with kindly, cheering 
words. The bottle of milk was put into his hand, and he took 
as much of it as the diseased state of his throat would allow; 
the candle having been extinguished as soon as it had served its 
. purpose of guiding the chaplain to his side. Then the generous 
friend led him away to the place where the horse had been left, 
the boy's slight form leaning, with almost its entire weight, up- 
on the supporting arm of the man. Lifted like a child to a place 
behind the saddle, he clung closely to the chaplain, and they 
rode away through the darkness. 

But our friend Mr. C had not yet fully accomplished his 

perilous undertaking. It is one thing to run into danger, an- 
other to get out of it. The pickets at the end of the bridge must 
be passed again; and as the night advanced, they might have 
become more vigilant. Perhaps his coming in had been detect- 
ed, and their seeming carelessness was only a ruse ; perhaps they 
were even now awaiting his return. 

As they approached the bridge, he saw that the fire, around 
which they were gathered as he passed them on his way to the 
hospital, was now a mere handful of smouldering embers, as if 
it had not been replenished since it was first kindled ; and not a 
soldier was to be seen as he peered through the darkness. Had 
the position of the pickets been unexpectedly changed ? Why 
were they not visible? 



482 A Chaplain's Exploit. 

With a whispered caution to Billy to hold fast and make no 
sound, he guides his horse into the short bit of road, passing the 
picket-post -within a few yards, which is the only avenue to the 
bridge; over which, in its turn, lies the sole path to the world 
outside Sinimsport. Not a sound disturbs the stillness of the 
winter night ; it is so dark that a sentinel might be within a rod 
and yet not be seen through the dense gloom which enshrouds 
them; some strange presentiment chills the blood of the 
brave chaplain, as he holds himself in readiness to spur on- 
ward at full speed at the first breath of alarm ; he, of all men, is 
least likely to be influenced by such superstition, but he cannot 
shake the feeling off. Do "coming events cast their shadows 
before V So it proved in this case, at any rate, foras the horse's 
feet first struck the timbers of the bridge, a stern voice cried : 

"Halt!" 

The sound rang out clear and distinct upon the night air. In- 
stantly the chaplain dug his spurs deep into the sides of his steed. 
The animal, whose every effort had been bent toward treading 
as quietly as possible, in obedience to what seemed to be the 
wish of his master, sprang suddenly forward, almost unseating 
his two riders; and dashed onward at his utmost speed, his pre- 
viously almost silent hoofs now striking the bridge with thun-. 
dering blows. The report of a rifle sounded behind them, and 
the shot whistled past their ears in somewhat alarming proxim- 
ity ; but the night was so dark that marksmanship was useless. 

Onward and onward they rode, at the same break-neck speed ; 
and soon they were out of the range of the Federal rifles, Avith 
no sounds of pursuers approaching to alarm them. With the 
grasp of almost a dying man the soldier clung to his deliverer, 
too weak to sit up, after the excitement of the night had passed 
away. At last they heard another challenge, the self-same word 
as before, but now how welcome to their ears ! It was the voice 
of the Confederate picket, and they were safe. 

The records of the war present few more daring deeds than 
this: the story of a man who went alone into the heart of the 
enemy's lines to rescue a sick comrade, and returned, success- 
ful, from a venture which the bravest men of the regiment look- 
ed upon as foolhardy and sure to fail. A man who is half a cow- 
ard may, spurred on by passion or excitement, rush into danger; 
he who, for a noble purpose, deliberately faces it, and in the 
two-fold form of deadly bullet and contagious disease, is a hero. 



A Chaplain's Exploit. 



483 




81 



i 



LTETTT. BAILEY'S EXPERIENCE. 

Siege of Atlanta — A Mission of Danger — A Determined Charge — A Firm Ee- 
sistance — Captured — A Drunken Captor — "Pall in, Prisoners" — An Effort to 
Escape — Eetaken — The Bivouac — Buried Alive — The Grave — Waiting — 
Eesurrection — A Friend — More Friends — In the " Quarters" — Jim — Setting 
Out — A Young Scout — Who Proves Unreliable — "Tie-tickets" on the Eail- 
road — Worn Out — Disappointment — Eest — A Sleepy Sentinel — Eecaptured — 
Forebodings of Evil — Two Teie-a-ietes — A Plan — A Good Place to Die in — 
The Funeral Arranged — Two Minutes to Pray — A Leap for Life — The 
Pursuit — Wounded — A Friend in Need — Eeturn Home. 

IT was in the month of July, 1864; Sherman had led his vic- 
torious army from Nashville into Georgia; step by step he 
had driven the Confederates back; there had been daily fight- 
ing for three months, and for more than five weeks the North- 
ern forces were to besiege Atlanta. On the 22d, the Federals 
pressed forward to occupy the works from which the Con- 
federates had seemed to retreat, and the latter saw themselves 
"hoist with their own petard" by the reversal of these defences. 
But the retreat had been only a ruse ; the advance of the Fed- 
erals was not to be unopposed. As their line was being grad- 
ually extended to encompass the doomed city, there came to the 
ears of Gen. Morgan L. Smith and his staif, first, a few scatter- 
ing shots ; then a heavier rattle of musketry ; then a succession 
of volleys, followed by the deeper roar of artillery. As yet the 
attack thus indicated was on the extreme left, but it would soon 
be upon the whole line. The outposts were ordered in, and the 
pickets retreated hastily, followed closely by the advance of the 
enemy. Yarious were the reports which the frightened soldiers 
gave, but all agreed that the enemy was in full force. Hither 
and thither had the staff-officers been sent, on various duties, 

486 



486 Li&ut, Bailey's Experience. 

and the general turned to the only one remaining at his side ; a 
young man of barely twenty-two years, who had butjust returned 
from the perilous task of ordering in the outposts; slim and 
slight, w^ith a boyish, beardless face, and wearing on his should- 
ers the straps which indicated the rank of a first lieutenant on 
the division staff. 

''Bailey, please take a position so you can see if they are 
massed, and where. Eeport to me as soon as you can find out." 

There was a slight elevation just to the rear of the position oc- 
cupied by the boys in blue, and thither the young officer ran. 
But a report was soon rendered equally needless and impossible, 
for he had hardly gained the eminence when the Confederates 
emerged from the woods, and rushed upon the works. A flash 
of fire, a thunder of cannon, a roar of musketry; the very earth 
quaked, as if for fear of her own children ; smoke and dust com- 
bined to conceal the retreat of the Confederates; and they re- 
formed under cover of the cloud. Again and again the charge 
was repeated; again and again was it repulsed. Even when the 
efforts of the assailants were seconded by their batteries, and 
the screaming of shells supplemented the whistlingof bullets, the 
Federals held their ground. At last, under cover of the smoke, 
a column of the Confederates formed, advanced, and pressing 
through the line of their enemies undiscovered at a weak point 
through a railroad cut, gained the rear. Before the fire from 
both front and rear no troops could stand ; the works were soon 
carried, and the stars and bars planted where lately the stars 
and stripes had floated. 

Separated from the main body of the Federals by the Confed- 
erates who had attacked them in the rear, our hero's position 
was now dangerous indeed. Would he be able to rejoin his 
friends ? It was a difficult problem for him to solve, but he suc- 
ceeded, by making a small circuit, in reaching a point where his 
horse had been left with an orderly. Here, he thought, he would 
be safe ; mounted and armed, it would be comparatively easy 
for him to escape. But he had reckoned without his host. 
Horse and orderly were gone. To all seeming, the sky, over- 
cast as it was with the cloud of battle, had rained Eebels; from 
every quarter they came; and he had not had time to move far- 
ther before he saw the rifle of one pointed at him, and heard 
the command: 

"Haiti" 



111 



Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 487 

The weapon trembled in the unsteady hands of the man who 
held it, and who was too drunk to take certain aim. Seeing 
himself surrounded, Lieut Bailey judged it better to comply 
with the demand, and was about to surrender his sword, when 
the soldier, with all a drunken man's devilish persistency, hic- 
coughed out: 

"D n you, i b'lieve I'll shoot you anyhow; haven't shot 

my Yankee yet !" 

He could die game, or he could surrender when resistance be- 
came useless, but to give up his sword and die too was more than 
the young officer had bargained for. As the gray-coat plunged 
forward for a closer shot, Bailey grasped the barrel of his gun 
and held it pointed at such an angle that its discharge could 
hurt no one. His burly antagonist struggled to lower the 
weapon, but desperation gave strength to the boy's arm. How 
long the struggle might have continued, no man can tell ; but 
just as the j)Ower of the drunken man began to fail, a voice from 
behind commanded : 

''Let go of this sword !" 

And the blade was wrenched from the hand of Bailey, whose 
whole muscular strength was concentrated in his grasp of the 
gun. Turning, he confronted a Confederate officer. 

*'He was about to shoot me after I had surrendered.'' 

"He's drunk," answered the Rob, laconically. "John, take 
this officer to the rear and see that he's not hurt or robbed." 

The fight went on, but with its further results we have noth- 
ing to do. It is sufficient for our narrative to say that the 
Northern troops rallied, and, surrounded as they were, finally 
repulsed the assailants and drove them back to Atlanta. But, 
defeated as they were in this attack, the Southerners kept pos- 
session of their prisoners; and eighty officers, with a propor- 
tionate number of privates of the Union army, were enrolled as 
prisoners of war. At twilight came the order: 

"Fall in, prisoners!" 

And the whole body was marched otf, under proper escort, to- 
ward East Point. Night descended, but the captives were far 
from desiring rest. Liberty, liberty, coupled with any hardships, 
obtained at any price, was the one thing desired. Their escort 
of infantry had been replaced by cavalry, and this seemed to 
render feasible a plan of escape hastily conjured up by Lieut. 
Bailey and a fellow-prisoner. They were to slip just behind the 



488 Lieut, Bailey's Experience. 

horse of one, and as far as possible from the next trooper; per- 
haps, through the darkness of the night and the dimness of the 
woods through which they were passing, they might be able to 
reach the Union lines. 

"Fortune favors the brave," and certainly in this case she 
seemed to smile upon the two prisoners. They safely passed 
the guard, and in a moment were lost in the deep shadows of the 
wood. But this same Dame Fortune is a fickle lady, and soon 
forsook them. Eight in their path stood a horse, and beside him 
his rider, a gray-clad soldier. Snorting and plunging, the ani- 
mal gave the alarm — strangers near — the cavalryman challeng- 
ed them, and ended by conducting them back to the body from 
which all three were stragglers. Their ingenuity and daring 
procured them the honor of a special guard during the remainder 
of the march. 

We pass by the weary days when almost famished and more 
than half-starved, they marched onward beneath the burning 
sun and through the suffocating dust. At last, after what seem- 
ed ages of suffering, came the news that they were bound for 
Andersonville. The very name struck terror to their hearts — 
these men who had not quailed before the guns of the enemy. 

*'I won't live a week at Andersonville, I know I won't," said 
our young lieutenant. 

"Can't help it," was the reply of a companion; "there seems 
to be no hope of anything else." 

They knew that they could not be exchanged, for the United 
States authorities insisted that the colored troops should be rec- 
ognized, and the Confederate States refused to do so ; thus the 
exchange of prisoners bad been stopped. Escape or recapture 
were the only chances; the latter could not be hoped for, and 
the former seemed almost impossible. 

The order to halt for the night was given ; the prisoners were 
allowed the freedom of a good-sized pasture, where the}' were 
visited by some young ladies from the neighborhood. Tired and 
hungry as they were, the welcome gifts of fruit were not more 
appreciated by the prisoners than the humane sympathy of their 
fair enemies; and many of them slept the sweeter for the 
thought of the kind Southern girls. But of these our young 
hero was not one ; his mental powers were busily employed ; he 
he must think over a method of escape from the horrors of An- 
dersonville. 



Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 489 

At last the plan was matured in his own brain, communicated 
to some trusty comrades, and put into operation. If we may 
believe the romancers, it is not a pleasant thing to be buried 
alive; still, Lieut. Bailey preferred it to a Southern prison-pen, 
and was determined to try it. The ''grave" was therefore dug, 
due caution being exercised to avoid arousing suspicion; being 
"tried on" by the proposed occupant, it was pronounced a good 
fit, and he settled himself in it, two hours before daylight — 

" No useless coffin inclosed his breast, 

Nor in sheet nor in shroud they wound him, 
But he lay like a warrior taking his rest, 
With no martial cloak around him." 

A canteen served him for a pillow, boughs and grass for a 
coverlet; a tin cup, inverted over the nostrils and mouth and an 
improvised air-hole allowed him to breathe more freely than 
would otherwise have been possible; the earth which had been 
removed was replaced upon the branches, or distributed among 
the neighboring bushes; finally, stalks of blackberry were cut 
and stuck in the earth, which had previously been carefully 
covered with grass. Nothing had been forgotten; linen maj)S 
of the country and a pocket compass were in his covering; 
rations, scant, it is true, but the most plentiful to be obtained, 
were stowed away above his head, just beneath the surface; an 
ingeniously contrived opening permitted air to be renewed. 
Heavily, yet more heavily pressed the weight of the earth above 
him; numbed, almost paralyzed by the pressure, he dared not 
move a muscle, lest he disturb the surface of the ground so care- 
fully arranged above him ; and succeeding the burning heat of 
a Southern July came the chill almost of death. 

Ages upon ages passed away, and into the grave of the living 
man came a few faint rays of daylight. But now came an even 
greater anxiety than before ; had anything altered the appear- 
ance of this spot of ground since his friends arranged it, so 
as to suggest to the captors that something was wrong? At 
every sound above him he would have trembled, if motion had 
not been so dangerous; for discovery meant certain death. 

Footsteps came near — whose were they ? The friendly words 
soon reassured him : 

"All right, lieutenant; lie low; good bye." 

It was the last opportunity that his friends could have to bid 
him farewell ; but for a long time yet he must indeed " lie low." 



490 



Lieut. Bailey^s Experience. 



Backward and forward and all around, it seemed to him, were 
passing soldiers. Finally, the footsteps became regular; it was 
the measured tread of the column marching oif ; only a little 
while, now, and this terrible waiting would be over. 

Slowly passed the seconds; each one longer than its prede- 
cessor, because nearer to the end. At last all is still. No, there 
is a movement of the earth above his head; then a crunching 
sound. A G:runt of satisfnction betrays the marauding hog that 

has devoured the ra- 
tions hidden just un- 
der the surface. Cau- 
tiously raising his 
head, he finds that 
there are two white 
children, accom- 
panied by a negro 
woman, in the past- 




ure. Then a slight 

shower drives 

them to shelter, 

and he is about to 

emerge from his 

hiding-place when 

a loud clatter of The Jie&un-ection. 

horse's hoofs along the neighboring road causes him to subside 

into mother earth again. Three cavalrymen are riding hard to 

overtake the main column; why they should be behind does not 

bother him; they are not after him. 

Let us follow the stragglers, and find out what the Eebs knew 
of the escape. After a half hour's march, the column was halt- 
ed, and a roll-call of the prisoners ordered. ''One ofiicer miss- 
ing" was the report; and a patrol was sent back to retake him. 
Anxiously the captives awaited the result; a shot, two shots, 
were heard from the vicinity of the road ; a sigh was given to 
the memory of "poor Bailey," who had escaped Andersonville 



Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 491 

by death in the forest; and they went on their way, to report 
him, when a special exchange freed them, as killed. 

But, though buried, Lieut. Bailey was very much alive; the 
shots had been heard by him, and had caused some alarm ; he 
did not know until afterward that they were fired in the air to 
frighten his late fellow-prisoners ; but after the echoes had died 
away, and no new ones had been awakened, he determined to 
leave his place of concealment, now rendered untenable by the 
rain, which was falling in torrents. Springing from his burrow 
he made his way hastily to the neighboring woods. But here 
was a new cause of alarm — a human form near him. But he 
could hardly believe his eyes when he saw it was clothed in 
blue. The stranger proved to be one of the privates captured at 
the same time as Lieut. Bailey, who had fallen asleep in a brush 
pile, and had not awakened until the departure of the guard. 

The plan of the two escaped prisoners was to keep to a gener- 
al northeasterly course, skirting the Confederate right flank, and 
getting to the Federal left. "Without food or arms, such an at- 
tempt may well seem impracticable; but it must be remembered 
that they hoped to avoid the Eebel scouts and foragers, and to 
fall in with similarparties of friends; for food, they trusted to the 
negroes, who were known to be well-disposed towards the blue- 
coats; the same dusky friends must furnish them with informa- 
tion as to roads, position of forces, etc. 

As we have seen, neither of the fugitives had breakfasted; 
their dinner consisted of blackberries, of which they found a 
plentiful supply in the fields, and muddy water. As twilight 
fell, they began to think that supper must be a repetition of one 
of the other meals — blackberries or nothing; for it was danger- 
ous to leave the shelter of the woods. 

But necessity knows no law; their keen youthful appetites 
soon spurred them on, regardless of danger; and they approach- 
ed the road. There was an alarm before they had well quitted 
their shelter; the clatter of hoofs on the rocky road drove them 
behind a large bush, whence they watched a squadron of South- 
ern cavalry dash past. 

Again emerging opposite a handsome mansion, they circled 
around the more pretentious dwelling, to reach the humble one 
in the rear — the one where they expected to be welcome. Kor 
were they mistaken. Cautiously making themselves known at 
the cabin, they were astonished at the heartiness of the welcome 



492 Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 

they received — they found that "the half had not been told." 

"Nebber seed no Yankees before. Bress de Lord, we's all jist 
waitin' to do somefin' for you all. You kin count on de darkeys, 
massa, ebery time." 

"But not on the whites ?" 

"Better not, massa. Dey's all grand rascals. You all better 
jist 'pend on the darkeys ; dey'll help you ebery time." 

And the old "aunty" went diligently on with her work of 
stuffing their haversacks with the coarse, wholesome food which 
was all she had. Ascertaining from the negroes that they were 
about thirty miles almost directly south of Atlanta, they con- 
sulted their maps, and marked out their course; northeasterly 
to Covington or Lithonia, and thence westward to Atlanta ; 
thus settling more definitely the plan of approach wliich they had 
at first adopted. Departing at midnight, followed by the most fer- 
vent blessings of their entertainers, they again took to thewoods, 
guided through the darkness by the compass which had formed 
part of Lieut. Bailey's outfit. The fire-flies turned traitors to 
the Southern cause, compelled by the force of circumstances to 
do so, and lighted the face of the compass when held near it 
sufficiently to show the position of the needle. 

Chased by bloodhounds that had evidently mistaken the scent, 
their knowledge of woodcraft suggested that such pursuit might 
be baffled by wading down a stream; and such was the way in 
which they escaped. Traveling by night, they rested by day, 
one standing guard while the other slept. So several days pass- 
ed, and although they had eked out supplies by blackberries and 
watermelons "confiscated" from the enemy, the food provided 
by the negroes was gone. Something must be done to obtain a 
fresh supply, and going to work as before, they were even more 
successful. Fearful of arousing suspicion in "the house" by too 
much excitement at "the quarters," the negroes to whom thej- 
now applied conveyed them to the heart of an orchard. Wel- 
comed and fed as in the first instance, their hearts were gladden- 
ed by the information that the Federal cavalry had burned a 
railroad station only ten miles away on the previous night, and 
were hourly expected to pass by on the road they had just left. 

One of the negroes was appointed to guide them to a safe 
cover where they could rest for the night ; and again, with well- 
filled haversacks, they set out upon their journey. But time 
would fail us to tell of the days and nights of danger and priva- 



Lieut. Bailey's Experience, 493 

tion ; when they unconsciously crept so close to a Rebel outpost 
that the cracking of a twig would have betrayed them; when 
the guns of Sherman, thundering around Atlanta, made music in 
their ears; when every moment's silence in that direction made 
their hearts sink, lest Sherman should have been driven back. 

It was the night of August 1st when, for the third time, they 
nought help from the negroes; and well it was that they did so. 
Squads of cavalry were constantly scouring the country, and ad- 
vance would have been almost certain recapture. Not only did 
the faithful creatures provide them with food, but they found 
shelter for the fugitives in the straw-house. Here they passed 
two nights; but not without danger; for they could not tell 
when the straw might be wanted by the Confederates. To re- 
main here during the day was altogether out of the question ; so 
a shelter was constructed in the woods — a hut that only close ex- 
amination could tell from the neighboring brush-heap, whence 
had been drawn the building materials. But a storm demolish- 
ed this, and they were obliged to brave greater danger by 
sleeping in the loft of one of the cabins. 

This, then, was their life for more than two weeks ; hiding in 
the woods by day, sleeping at night in the loft. Many were the 
alarms given, but all proved false, at least so far as our two fu- 
gitives were concerned. But the private soldier whom Lieut. 
Bailey had met in the woods was no favorite with the negroes. 
A mere boy of seventeen, he was careless in matters which in- 
volved the safety of all ; and took no pains to retain the affec- 
tion which his uniform had won for him. They refused, then, 
\o give him shelter any longer, and had procured a strange ne- 
gro to guide him to the Federal lines. Lieut. Bailey was pros- 
trated by illness, and saw his companion depart, his only re- 
maining hope being the advance of the Federals. They could 
not tell which would first fall into the hands of friends, and each 
charged the other with messages to be sent home. 

"De Yankees is comin'," announced the negroes, one to the 
other, in feigned dismay, but real delight; and the boom of the 
guns only a few miles away confirmed the report. The "family," 
one member of which was a Confederate soldier, home on sick- 
leave, took refuge in the swamps ; but the negroes, secure in 
having befriended a Federal officer, remained near their guest as 
long as they could find an excuse for doing so. At no time was he 
left entirely alone, for the negroes were continually going back 



494 Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 

and forth. At last, to the great relief of the fugitive family, and 
the equal dismay of their servants' guest, the alarm was ascer- 
tained to be a false one. The Federal guns had indeed been 
heard at a distance of three miles, but it was only a comparative- 
ly small force of cavalry that had raided entirely around them, 
and returned to the main body. 

It lacked but a day of being three weeks since he had com- 
mitted himself to the care of these friends, when Lieut. Bailey 
heard some one appoaching his home in the brush. 

"Don't beskeered, massa," was the friendly reassurance, "it's 
jist me — Jim." 

Jim was the one who had undertaken to conduct Bailey's com- 
panion to the Federal lines. 

"Did you get through all right, Jim?" asked the officer eager- 
ly, as soon as Jim was within whispering distance. 

"Dunno, massa; 'spec's so," replied Jim, scratching his head. 

"What do you mean? Didn't you keep together until you 
got to the lines?" 

"No, sah ; you see, massa, dat soldier I specs is mighty brave, 
but he ain't keerful ; and I knowed we'd bofe git cotched if he 
wasn't. What you think he done? Stole watermelons outer 
Mas' Grleaton's patch in broad day, and he seed him and tole de 
Rebel cabalry. Couldn't do nuffin wid sich a pusson as dat, 
sah." 

"*Where did you leave him?" queried the soldier, aghast; 
"what has become of him ?" 

"Don't you be 'feared, massa; specs he's all right by dis time. 
I jist got some udder niggers to take keer of him. You see, sah, 
I run away from my massa, I did, and if dey was to cotch me it'd 
be a mighty sight wuss for me dan for anybody else that helped 
you all." 

The officer mused a moment, and Jim looked on in fear and 
trembling; had he offended the "Yankee," for whom he would 
have done anything in his power ? 

"I kin take you froo to de lines, sah," he ventured at last; 
" 'Caze you's keerful. Won't you let me, sah?" 

"When can we start?" 

"T'morrer, sah." 

"I must see Mr. Smith first, and try and learn from him if 
there are many scouts around." 

"Massa Smif s mighty strong Secesh, sah." 



Lieut. Bailey's Experience, 495 

"Never mind that; I know how to overcome that by some- 
thing stronger." 

Jim evidently could not comprehend anything stronger than 
Mr, Smith's Southern sympathies, but the event proved that there 
waSo Cautiously leaving his retreat at dusk, Lieut. Bailey ap- 
proached the house by the road, and as if he had but just arrived in 
the neighborhood, senta note by one of the slaves to ask forinfor- 
mation. To this note was appended the mystic sign of a bond that 
was and is stronger than political or sectional feeling. The an- 
swer came without delay ; he would not betray even the enemy 
who came to him; and with a truly Arab hospitality the strang- 
er was received. 

Mr. Smith could afford no information as to the movements of 
either army, and the Federal left his house at daybreak to re- 
turn to his brushwood dwelling. Now came the news that At- 
lanta was saved to the Confederates, that Sherman was falling 
back. The silence of the guns seemed to confirm this report, 
and it was with a heavy heart that the fugitive followed his 
guide towards the retreating Army of the Tennessee. Setting 
out at evening, they reached, about ten o'clock, a plantation 
where they expected to get valuable information from a negro 
who had recently been to Atlanta on an errand for his master. 

But disappointment awaited them here; the slaves were not 
allowed to know too much, and there were many important 
2)oints on which they could obtain no information. They could 
only press on to the house of a Mr. Freeman, whom the negroes 
knew as a Union man. 

Here he met with as enthusiastic a welcome as in any of the 
"quarters" that he had visited, and learned that his late com- 
panion had departed for the Federal lines only a short time be- 
fore. Not only was he welcomed here, but kept in safety until 
opportunity should offer for his final escape to the army. 

At last they heard the true reason for the silence of Sher- 
man's guns; he had executed the famous "flank movement" 
around the Confederate army, and had taken Atlanta. As yet 
they could not learn the particulars, only that the city had fall- 
en at last. While this allayed Bailey's fears as to the distance 
which he would have to travel before reaching the lines, it ren- 
dered his present position somewhat precarious, for the retreat- 
ing Confederates seemed to be everywhere. Most of the time 
was spent at Freeman's, in hiding or disguise; a little in the 



496 Lieut. Bailey's Experience, 

woods, when there was danger of the house being searched, and 
some at the cabins of his dusky friends. 

A couple of slaves who had run away from their master, and 
were trying to reach the Federal lines, had become possessed of 
a carbine which had once been the property of a Federal caval- 
ryman. In endeavoring, with his comrades on the raid, to ford 
the river, he had become overpowered by the force of the cur- 
rent and drowned. The gun, at first considered a prize by its 
colored owner, became an elephant on his hands; it would be 
very dangerous for him to be caught with that in his possession; 
and he readily yielded it to Lieut. Bailey. Thus armed, he felt 
himself a match for a host, but his friends would not suffer him 
to leave them until the country was no longer overrun by the 
butternut-clothed stragglers. 

At last the coast was considered clear; and a day, or rather 
an evening (Oct. 5) was fixed for his departure. But the assist- 
ance of Jim, as a guide, was absolutely necessary; and as Jin» 
did not put in an appearace at the proper time, all kinds of 
guesses as to his safety and fidelity were hazarded. Late the 
next day he came, with many lame excuses, and despite the re- 
monstrances of his friends, the officer set out with the guide. 

Pressing onward, a friendly negro cautioned them that Texas 
Rangers scoured the country daily for deserters and runaway 
slaves, and strongly advised them to return. Of this, however, 
they had no notion„ The little son ofa lady, who had strong 
Northern sympathies, was sent on a reconnoissance to the town 
of Livonia, then three miles distant, and returned with the in- 
formation that there were no soldiers to be seen. 

Relying upon this intelligence, for they had received unmis- 
takable proofs of the mother's sincerity, the two pressed onward, 
only to find Confederate pickets posted about the town; their 
scout had evidently been careless. Instead, then, of being able 
to rest here, they must hasten on to Decatur, fifteen miles far- 
ther. There, they learned, were the Federal outposts; reaching 
that point by daybreak, they were safe; but if they failed to 
penetrate to the lines, there was nothing to expect but a return 
to captivity. 

Being so sure, from the boy's report, that there were no sol- 
diers at Livonia, they had advanced somewhat incautiously, and 
were almost in the light of the camp-fire before they discovered 
all the truth j then, tired as they were, with fifteen miles yet to 



Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 497 

go, they had to make a wide detour to avoid discovery. But at 
last the railroad was safely gained. 

Now, a "tie-ticket" is by no means a passport to the most 
pleasant kind of traveling ; but the firm bed of the road was bet- 
ter in that it permitted better progress than the ordinary coun- 
try road ; and as they went at full speed, Bailey felt his spirits 
rise. Kot so his " companion, guide and friend." 

" Don't b'lieve I kin git any farder, sah." 

Oh, yes, Jim ; we inust go on. We must be at Decatur by day- 
break, or they'll catch us again." 

" Can't help it, sah ; can't go on." 

But still he kept on, nerved to further endurance by the reso- 
lute will of the white man. Evading a picket that the enemy 
had posted to command the railroad, by creeping on all fours 
along the earthen embankment on which the camp-fire was built, 
they obtained absolute information that the Federal pickets 
were one mile from Decatur; this was ascertained by Lieut. 
Bailey marching boldly up to a house, almost within hearing of 
the soldiers at the fire, and representing himself as " Capt. 
Blake, 35th Georgia." Much cheered by this news, he rejoined 
his companion, and they crept back to the railroad. Onward 
they went at full speed, notwithstanding Jim's piteous lament- 
ations, for which the soldier, suff'ering full as much as he, had no 
mercy. What were torn and bleeding feet when weighed in the 
scale with liberty ? 

The night grew darker around them, but the soldier comfort- 
ed himself with this comparison. It did, indeed, seem the darkest 
hour through which he had yet passed ; despite his cheering 
words to Jim, it sometimes seemed doubtful if he could sustain 
himself on his feet long enough to reach the goal ; but, to use a 
proverb of his own native Missouri, " he was not born in the 
woods to be scared by an owl," and he was determined to reach 
the Federal lines. The darkness passed away, and soon the full 
beams of the sun were upon them. They had passed the point 
where, their last informant said, the pickets had been stationed. 
The breastworks are in sight; painfully they toil onward; 
strange that no voice challenges them as they advance! Far- 
ther still, but still there is none of the bustle of the camp 
which the soldier so longed to hear! At last the dreadful truth 
broke upon them — ^the friends to whom they had looked for suc- 
cor, had 



498 Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 

" Folded their tents like the Arabs, 
And silently stole away," 

leaving the enemy ignorant of their movements. 

In their exhausted condition, literally footsore and weary, 
nothing was to be done but to rest. Selecting a retired spot, 
they made arrangements for passing the day there. Of course, 
it was dangerous to remain ; but we must remember that it was 
impossible to go on. 

"Jim, I'll keep guard while yousleep, and then you can do the 
same while I sleep." 

"All right, massa; jus' as you say, sah." 

Xever was command more willingly obeyed, and Jim had 
hardly uttered the words before he was sound asleep. In too 
much pain to court the sweet restorer, even if prudence had not 
demanded that a guard be kept, Lieut. Bailey waited patiently 
until Jim should have had the repose so much needed. 

As he sat bathing his lacerated feet in a stream that ran near 
"headquarters," he saw a boy of thirteen, clad in a full Federal 
uniform, approach, and then hasten away. Limping after him, 
and questioning him, our hero learned that the Northern forces 
had left sometime during the night; that this boy had been em- 
ployed by the quartermaster, and was friendly to the Federals. 
With many assurances of secrecy and fidelity, the youth en- 
gaged to ascertain if the Union forces had left Atlanta yet, and 
to inform the officer before dark. 

The sun had marked high noon some time before Jim was 
awakened from his slumbers, and Lieut. Bailey lay down to rest. 
Many were the admonitions delivered to the sentinel. 

"Now Jim, be sure and waken me — shake me well — if you 
hear the least sound that's suspicious." 

"Sahtain to do it, sah," protested Jim, showing a great 
amount of white in the eyes and mouth. 

"Eemember, the least thing. You mustn't wait to see what it 
is." 

"I do jis' as you tell me, sah." 

So Jim was left, carbine in hand, to stand guard over the sol- 
dier. It may be believed that that gentleman did not vainly 
court slumber. It came, but not to stay. Not long had he slept 
before he was awakened by a harsh : 

"Hello, there!" 

Almost in his ear, it seemed. He started up, to find a rifle 



Lieut. Bailey's Experience, 499 

aimed at his breast by a ^'butternut." There was no time for in- 
vestigation as to the way in which this had occurred; the aim of 
the gun was too certain for that. 

"Surrender," summoned the stranger, moving the muzzle of 
his piece a hair's breadth, to "make assurance doubly sure." 

Bailey gave a side glance and saw Jim also in custody, his 
guard being clad in a full blue uniform. The "butternut" began 
to grow impatient, and pressed his demand for a surrender. 

"How am I to be treated ?" 

"As a prisoner of war, of course," was the unequivocal reply. 

"Well, I guess I can't help it; I'nf your prisoner, sir." 

Yielding himself up thus, the soldier turned to Jim indig- 
nantly. 

"Couldn't help it, sah," pleaded the darkey; "you might 
a knowed I'd fall asleep jis' as soon as I got in de hot sun." 

It was no use to be angry at the poor fellow trudging along at 
his side, who would suffer as much in captivity as himself, if not 
more; so he controlled his disgust, and marched on with his 
captors. The blue uniform of one had at first puzzled him, but 
he soon learned that it was to have been used as a decoy, in case 
he had been awake. Such was the admission of the wearer him- 
self. 

Jim was closely questioned as to the circumstances under 
which he had joined his fortunes with the lieutenant's, and with 
a sublime disregard for the truth, averred that he had accompa- 
nied his master from St. Louis, and had been captured with him. 
This, of course, secured for him more lenient treatment than 
would have been his lot had they known he was a runaway 
slave. 

Singleton, the man in the blue uniform, was placed on guard, 
while his companion, named Fowler, searched the prisoners. As 
most of Lieut. Bailey's possessions, aside from indispensables, 
had been bestowed upon the negroes who had befriended him, 
the search did not "pan out" well. His pocket-book was the 
only thing that suited the fastidious taste of his captor. 

"I'll take this; you may keep the other things a while longer. 
Fix to go with us, now." 

The permission to retain his property "a while longer" was 

ominous of evil ; where was he to go with his captors ? On that 

he could only cogitate as they marched along; Singleton in 

front, then Jim, then Bailej', while Fowler, armed with his own 

32 



500 Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 

and the Federal's riflCj brought up the rear. They had gone 
but a short distance when a halt was called. 

"Eeckon we'd better turn him over to the cavalry and get him 
off our hands before dark," suggested Fowler to his compan- 
ion, with a significant look. 

"Yes, I s'pose we had," replied the other, nodding in answer 
to the meaning in Fowler's look. 

The prisoner ventured to ask where the cavalry post was, and 
was told that it was "at the Circle;" but of this latter term no 
explanation was given. 

Many were the expressiolls which led the officer to the belief 
that Fowler did not intend to treat him as a prisoner of war. 

"I can hardly limp along, sir," the captive complained; 
"can't you go a little more slowly ? My feet are very painful." 

"Nevermind," was the not very consoling reply ; "they won't 
hurt you much longer." 

After such an answer, given with brutal indifference, there 
could no longer be any doubt of their intentions. Turning into 
the woods, ostensibly for a short cut to the road beyond, the 
two captors drew apart for consultation, and the prisoners seiz- 
ed their chance. To run was out of the question, for not only 
must they brave the shots of their guard, but the condition of 
their feet would not permit the necessary speed. But they were 
able to communicate privately with each other. 

"Jim, they are going to shoot us." 

"Is dey, lieutenant ?" responded Jim, rolling up his eyes in 
terror, till no color was visible. 

" I'm certain of it, for — how anxiously they are expecting us in 
St. Louis ! We must write as soon as possible to let them know 
we are safe." 

This sudden turn in the conversation was intended to deceive 
Fowler, who, suddenly ceasing his conference with Singleton, 
cautiously approached the prisoners to find out what they were 
saying. Several times the captors found it necessary tp deliber- 
ate, and each time the captives seized the opportunity for pri- 
vate speech. The order of the line had so far been changed that 
Lieut. Bailey was second, and Jim third ; but the guards still pre- 
served their relative position. It was on this order of march 
that the officer relied in planning an escape. 

"The first good chance I see," he said to Jim, during one of 
the short conferences, "I will spring on the man in front of me, 



Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 501 

and if I don't get his gun, I'll hold on to it so that he can't shoot 
with it. The man behind you will shoot me then, unless you 
keep him from it. Will you let him shoot me, Jim?" 

"Ob cose not, sah. When I see you cotch hold ob d at front 
man's gun, I reckon I'd better git at dis yere one, hadn't I?" 

"That's just what I want you to do, Jim. I'll let you know 
when I am going to try it. Will you do it?" 

"Sahtain to do it sah, sahtain," answered Jim, emphatically. 

But though the answer appeared reassuring enough, Lieut. 
Bailey did not feel as entirely confident of his companion as he 
might have done if he had not known so lately an instance of 
Jim's "sahtain to do it." A sentinel who slept on his post at a 
time of such danger could hardly be considered reliable. 

Nevertheless, he felt that he had much to gain, little to lose; 
perhaps only a few moments of life; and he was determined 
to trust his last chance to Jim. He quickened his pace, limping 
«o rapidly as to almost overtake Singleton, when the word 
came : 

"Halt !" 

Of course, the proposed action must be postponed, and forever. 
Disencumbering himself of one rifle, and carelessly playing with 
the other, Fowler addressed the officer: 

"My friend, this is as good a place to die as any man could 
wish." 

"Let me remind you, sir, of your promise to treat us as pris- 
oners of war." 

"Well, this is the way we treat prisoners of war." 

Then followed a long harangue on the thieving propensities* 

of the "d d Yankees." It was in vain that the prisoner 

urged that the privates often committed outrages without the 
knowledge of the officers, who could not be responsible; that 
this was too great a punishment; that he would give Fowler pa- 
pers that would insure protection, and so forth. 

"D n your papers," was the surly reply; "they don't pro- 
tect nothing; G-en. Sherman's don't. There ain't no use arguing; 
you've got to die !" 

An appeal to Singleton seemed to arouse his sympathy and 
sense of justice ; but he was evidently only a subordinate, and 
dare not make any objection to the execution of the prisoners. 

"Give me one of the carbines and one round of ammunition, and 
let me try for my life with the best marksman," suggested the 



502 Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 

soldier, at last, as a forlorn expedient at a desperate moment. 

"D n his impudence," exclaimed Fowler; and replied, in 

a low tone, to Singleton, who had asked what disposition they 
should make of the body : "Bury it, of course." 

*'But we haven't got anything to dig with." 

"O, there's lots of leaves, and then there's the hogs." 

The prisoner overheard this cheering bit of the programme, 
and feeling that there was no more hoj^e, tried to prepare him- 
self for death. But there thronged into his mind visions of the 
battle-field, ofthe soldier's death amid the rattle of musketry and 
the roar of cannon. He could not die in this way; he must es- 
cape. Half unconsciously he turned his head, to see what chance 
might remain to him. 

"He's getting ready to run." 

"Let him, if he likes it better that way, answered Fowler; 
"he can't run far." 

"Will you give me twenty paces?" asked the prisoner, forget- 
ful of his torn and bleeding feet. 

"ISTo." 

"Ten, then?" 

"Not one. We'll just give you two minutes to pray, and 
then—" 

The pause was more significant than words. The prisoner 
kneeled, but his thoughts had not left the earth so entirely that 
he did not see the two rifles immediately leveled at his breast. 
They intended to shoot him during the time that they had ac- 
corded him for praj'er. He sprang to his feet in an instant. 

"You promised me two minutes to pray in." 

"Time's up. Kneel down there," was the savage answer. 

Bending his knee again, as if to obey the command, he leaped 
backward, and, turning, ran unsteadily through the woods. 
Scarcely had he turned, before the report of Fowler's rifle was 
heard in his very ear, its hot breath felt upon his cheek ; then, 
so closely following that it seemed the echo of the first. Single- 
ton's weapon was discharged. He had taken a zigzag course, 
deeming it safer than one more direct ; but it proved of no avail; 
as this second ball whistled on its short course of barely fifteen 
feet, he felt in his arm and through his body a sharp pang; then 
he had literally " bitten the dust." Not in its usual figurative 
sense, however, is the saying to be taken; he was not dead, al- 
though grievously wounded ; for the ball, penetrating through 



I 



Xiieut. Bailey^ s Experience. 



503 



breast and right shoulder, had passed through the body and 
right lung. Springing up immediately, he rushed on, unmind- 
ful of the pain, unmindful of the blood gushing from the ragged 
wound, unmindful of everything but the hope of liberty and the 
fear of being recaptured. As he rises, a third shot carries his 
cap from his head. Now he considers himself safe from farther 
wounds, for they have not had time to reload ; but still a fourth 

shot, harmless 
as the first, 
whistles b}'. 
Whence it 
comes, he can- 
not tell. 

He knows 
that he cannot 
long endure; 
his lacerated 
feet are noth- 
ing in this race 
for life; he 
could disre- 
A Short Shrift g^^d the pain, 

could make them carry him towards liberty, but he knows that 
he will soon be faint from loss of blood. Yet his flying steps car- 
ry him onward, despair lending strength to the fainting body 
and increasing the distance. Hope rises in his heart. But ter- 
rible, then, is the sound of footsteps upon the dry leaves behind 
him. They are pursuing ! How long can he hold out? 

"O — lieutenant — won't you please — sah — wait fer me, sah?" 
calls a familiar voice in gasps. 

He halts to wait for his fellow fugitive. The others are no- 
where in sight. 

"Reckon they concluded not to come; neber seen anyt'ing 
done so quick in all my bawn days, sah ; you was done gone be- 
faw dey could say *Jiff.'" ^ 

" Didn't they chase me?" 

"No, sah; you was too quick for dat; you was done gone be- 
fawdey know'd what you was a gwine fer to do. Dey shot after 
you." 

" I know that — they hit me." 

" Did it hurt you, sah ?" 




504 Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 

"Yes, I'm afraid I'm very badly wounded, indeed. Sec here." 

"Seed you fall, sah, but you was up so quick I thought you 
jist stumbled. O Lord, neber saw anyt'ing so quick in all my 
bawn days !" 

It became necessary now to exercise caution in planningtheir 
route. Their late guard would naturally expect that they 
would press on towards Atlanta; hence, they had better take 
exactly the opposite direction. The friendly woods sheltered 
them until dusk, and afforded a much needed rest to the wound- 
ed man. Twilight came, and although he could hardly move, 
he knew that in the woods he could not survive until morning; 
so, supported by his faithful Jim, who had many times asked 
forgiveness for his one act of carelessness he bent his feeble 
steps towards a cottage near by. 

"lam an enemy, badly wounded," he began. 

"It -don't make any difference who you are," was the reply of 
the lady who opened the door, as she perceived his condition; 
" Come right in, and let us help you." 

His story was briefly told as the ladies dressed his wounds 
and made him as comfortable as possible. The news soon spread 
and Jim was dispatched by night to Atlanta for aid. On the 
day after his escape his ej-es were gladdened by the sight of a 
body of Federal soldiers, escorting a surgeon and an ambulance. 
Three prisoners were in the train, and these were brought before 
the wounded officer. 

" Do these look like the men that captured you, lieutenant?" 

His eye passed from face to face, but all were unfamiliar. The 
prisoners were much relieved at his failure to recognize them, 

"They didn't want to let us pass them, so we brought them 
along. Pickets, they say." 

The party soon set out ; but our hero had not 3^et seen the last 
of his captors. As they rode along, a single rifle-shot was heard. 
The commander of the guard, which was a hundred and fifty 
strong, immediately sent a detachment in search of the bush- 
whackers. They returned without prisoners, but described two 
men whom they had chased for some distance; Bailey recog- 
nized them as Fowler and Singleton. 

Through the long months of convalescence we need not follow 
him. Safely in the hands of his friends at Atlanta, he was, as 
soon as the state of his wound would permit, removed to St. 
Louis, where, upon the recommendation of his colonel, he was 



Lieut. Bailey's Experience. 505 

commissioned captain, although not physically fit for active ser- 
vice during the remainder of the war. Lieut. Bailey has graphi- 
cally, and in more minute detail, given his experiences to the 
public in a neat little volume, entitled, " A Private Chapter of 
the War," in which he publishes the unlovely face of Fowler, 
and that of the kind lady who cared for him after being wound- 
ed, until the Federals came to his relief. 



j^HAPTE^ Xi-Yll' 



VISITING HOME UNDER DIFFICULTIES. 

A Disappointment, to Begin With — Determined to Go — Reluctance of Officer — 
The Union Men of Tennessee — Tinker Dave Beatty — Tricking the Feder- 
als — Capt. Guild's Plan — A Friend — Dangers of the Attempt — "Our" ]\Ien — 
In Sight of Home — Reception — Departure — Fate of his Comrades — With 
Friends. 

WHILE Gen. Sherman was besieging Atlanta, the Confed- 
erates of course endeavored to harass the Federal rear 
as much as possible^ and many were the attacks upon small 
forces and train-guards. But in order to make any impression 
uponthobesiegers, it was necessary, not only to destroy the stores 
which were already in their hands, but to prevent other supplies 
reaching them. In order to accomplish this much desired end, 
Gren. Wheeler made a raid northward into Tennessee, destroy- 
ing the railroad track for miles, and driving before him small 
bodies of Federals that had been left to defend certain points. 
His force numbered five thousand men, and of these he judged 
it necessary to detach one regiment, the Fourth Tennessee Cav- 
alry, to attack an unfinished fort at Tracy City, then in the 
hands of the Federals. 

This order interfered seriously with the plans of some six or 
seven members of the regiment, who had hoped to be near 
enough to their homes in Tennessee to pay a flying visit to "the 
folks." Among these was one Captain George Guild, now of 
Nashville, but then of Gallatin, who was determined not to be 
foiled by any change in the plans of the commanding general. 
Accordingly, while the others were grumbling at the order 
which took them directly away from their homes, which were "so 
near, and yfet so far," he went to Col. Anderson, who was in com- 
60(j 



Visiting Home Under Difficulties. 507 

mand of the regiment, to obtain the desired leave of absence. 

"1 can go into Gallatin at night, and leave it at night. And 
then, too, perhaps I can get hold of some information that may 
prove to be valuable." 

''I don't know," said the colonel, doubtfully, shaking his head; 
"I'm afraid its pretty certain that you can't do it. You'll either 
be killed or captured." 

''I'll risk it, Colonel, if you'll only give me leave from the 
regiment." 

But the colonel held firmly to his own opinion of the hazard 
of the expedition; and it was only after a long argument that 
he could be brought to give a reluctant consent. Once having 
won it for himself, Capt. Guild lost no time in asking it for his 
companions; and as the size of the party would rather diminish 
the danger. Col. Anderson was readily prevailed upon to give 
the desired permission to the whole party. No time was lost in 
preparation; and that very night the little party set out on 
their march. 

The command was in the Sequatchie Yalley, whither it had 
been ordered almost immediately after the fight at Strawberry 
Plains ; it was, therefore, necessary for them to cross a spur of 
the Cumberland Mountains. This they did, proceeding by yvay 
of Cookeville, to Crossville. Though Tennessee was nominally 
a Confederate state, there were many strong Union men within 
her borders; just as, in some of the states that did not secede, 
there were thousands of Secessionists. In such cases, those who 
differed in politics from the majority of their neighbors often 
suffered severely, not from the troops alone, but from the malice 
of those who had been esteemed as friends. To so great a length 
did this persecution sometimes go, that the victims of it were 
driven from house and home, to find a shelter in the brush that 
bordered the prairie-stream, or in the caves and fastnesses of 
the mountains. Of course, such men had no mercy for those 
whose partisans had driven them to this kind of life, and to the 
horrors incident to ordinary warfare was added another — guer- 
illa life, bushwhacking, or, to give it the name claimed for it, 
partisan warfare. 

Among the Union men of Tennessee who were thus driven 
from their homes, sworn to revenge their outrages upon any 
or all Confederates, there were many whose names acquired a 
national, though temporary fame. Among them was one whom 



508 Visiting Home Under Difficulties. 

his enemies, and often his friends, too, knew as Tinker Dave 
Beatty, whose uncompromising loyalty to the United States and 
whose hatred of what he considered rank treason, often led him 
into excesses which made his name the terror and execration of 
the surrounding country. Frequently, as the little party of home- 
ward-bound Confederates journeyed on, they would be warned 
that Tinker Dave had just gone that way with a body of his ad- 
herents; that the d d Lincolnite Beatty was in the neighbor- 
hood; that the bushwhackers wore specially violent of late; 
and so forth. Thanking these friends for the kindly warnings, 
the Eebs pushed on, utterly disregarding them, except so far as 
a strict watch was concerned. 

But the warnings came faster and yet more impressive; and 
the Confederates, deeming discretion the better part of valor in 
this instance, lay by during the day and traveled only at night ; 
thus avoiding the man who made it his boast that betook no 
prisoners. But though their route was thus beset with dangers, 
they were not without enjoyment. They knew that there were 
many Federal soldiers at home on furlough in that part of the 
country, and resolved to have some fun with them, even if it 
were attended by considerable risk. Ascertaining from Seces- 
sionist residents the names and abodes of these, they would, un- 
der cover of darkness, ride up to one of the houses thus indicated 
and knock loudly. Then some such conversation as this would 
occur: 

''Does live here?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"I'd like to see him a moment." 

"What do you want with me, sir?" 

"You belong to Gen. Stokes' command, I believe, sir." 

"Yes, I am home on furlough." 

"Sorry for you, but we have ordiers to scour the country and 
direct all members of the command, wherever we find them, to 
report to headquarters at Carthage at once." 

"Well, I heard the Rebels were coming, but I was in hopes it 
was a false alarm." This dolefully. 

"It's only too true. There's some of them right near here. 
Do you know of any other of your command at home around 
fiere ?" 

"Yes, there's and and ; they live — " 

And the Federal would very obligingly direct them to the 



Visiting Home Under Difficulties. 509 

houses of his comrades, where the same scene would be repeat- 
ed. What the Feds said when they got to Carthage and found 
that a practical joke had robbed them of a goodly portion of 
their furlough, history does not relate in recording profanity. 

But they had now reached a point where they would no longer 
be one party, for their homes lay scattered along the route. One 
of the soldiers, Capt. Grissim, urged that Capt. Guild should go 
home with him to spend a night before proceeding on his jour- 
ney, but the latter, although still some distance from home, in- 
isted upon pushing on without delay. Had he accepted the in- 
vitation so cordially given, we would have had no story to tell, 
for the next morning Capt. Grissim and his two brothers were 
shot down, in their father's door, in the presence of their mother, 
by men dressed in Confederate uniform ; Guild would have 
made the fourth if he had allowed himself to be persuaded to 
accompany his friend. 

Knowing that he would have to exercise extreme care in visit- 
ing his home, Capt. Guild decided to send his negro servant 
with another of the party, who lived in a less dangerous local- 
ity. Hitherto, all had made the journey on horseback, but, for 
the sake of greater security, Capt. Guild gave his horse in charge 
to his servant, and went forward on foot. 

The difficulties of the march were much enhanced by the ret- 
icence and suspicion of the people. In a country where now 
one side, now the other, was dominant, they dared not help 
either, lest it come to the ears of the other; indeed, many of 
them were somewhat in the situation of the old farmer who 
lived in a portion of the country similarly overrun, and who 
exclaimed, as he surveyed his pillaged barn and empty smoke 
house: ''Well, I haint took neither side, but I'll be darned if 
both sides haint took me." Under such circumstances, it was 
extremely difficult to find out what were the real sentiments of 
the people, but after a little skillful questioning he decided to 
pass as a deserter from the Federal army. All went well, until 
he told his story to a farmer named Walton, whom he hoped to 
prevail upon to set him across the river. This man was keener- 
eyed than his acquaintances, and showed, by his quizzical smile 
that he more than half disbelieved the story. Under the cir- 
cumstances, feeling sure that he would not betray the trust re- 
posed in him, Capt. Guild said: 

" 0, 1 reckon I might as well own up. I can confide in you, 



510 VisitiiKj Home Under Dijfieidties. 

I'm sure. You will protect a Southern man, I know." 

*'Well,I reckon so. You're a Reb, ain't you, sir?" 

" Yes J I'm trying to make my way to Gallatin, to see my fam- 
ily." 

" Come along home with me, and have supper and a good 
night's rest; you're right about it; you can trust me, sure's my 
name's Walton." 

" I can't stay all night, thank you, but I'd be much obliged if 
you'd give me a lift that far." 

"Well, get in." 

The soldier got into the ox-cart, which formed the farmer's 
primitive vehicle, and after a due amount of shouting, the pa- 
tient beasts landed them at the desired spot. 

" Mother, this gentleman is a Confederate that wants to go to 
Gallatin to see his folks. What do you think of it ?" 

" Well I don't know; I'd hate to have anybody belonging to 
me try to do it, sir; that's all." 

"But why; is there any special danger just now?" 

" The place is heavily garrisoned, they say," answered the 
farmer, "and they're on the look out for an attack, so they've 
got every point guarded close — pickets everywhere, and scouts 
all over the country." 

"And that ain't the worst of it, sir," chimed in the old lady; 
"there's that Nicklen that's in command there; they say he 
murders every Confederate soldier he can capture, and every one 
that shelters them. If he was to find out that you had been 
there, your family would pay mighty dear for your visit, even if 
you got away safe yourself." 

This was unexpected to the soldier, who had looked for dan- 
ger to himself, but not to others. However, so confident was he 
that he could elude the vigilance of the Federal pickets and 
garrison, that after a few moment's consideration, he decided 
to make the desperate attempt. Accordingly he signified this 
determination to the farmer, who shook his head gravely, but 
did all in his power to assist him on his journey. The two 
left the house a little before sundown, and proceeding to the riv- 
er, the farmer rowed the soldier to the opposite side, landing him 
at a point some sixteen miles from Gallatin. 

Capt. Guild was now in a country which he knew thoroughly, 
and where he was acquainted, either actually or by reputation, 
with every man of any standing in the community. Upon land- 



Visiting Home Under Difficulties. 511 

ing then, he decided to go to the house of a man whom he knew 
to have been, in the the early days of the War, a strong sym- 
pathizer with the South ; to obtain from him the necessary in- 
formation as to the jDosition of the pickets, etc. The acquaint- 
ance could not be denied b}' the man to whom he appealed for 
help; but the citizen felt less for the South than he did for him- 
self, and evaded all the inquiries of the soldier. Thus repulsed 
in a quarter where he had not looked for such a reception, our 
hero decided that his assumed character would be more likely to 
be trusted, and that he would not again appear in propria per- 
sona until he should reach his journey's end. Accordingly he did 
not betray his real name even to the father of one of his com- 
rades, at whose house he endeavored to obtain the necessary in- 
formation. 

" Good evening, sir. Can you tell me if there is any Federal 
command near here ?" 

'^ There are Federal troops at Gallatin. Are you a soldier?" 

" Yes, I got captured by some of Wheeler's men, but got away 
from them; and now I'm anxious to reach our troops again. I 
was afraid I'd have to go farther than Gallatin." 

"You will not, now, but I cannot tell you how long the Uni- 
ted States troops will hold the place. They seem to be alarmed, 
themselves." 

"Prospect of active work, or do they seem to be preparing to 
withdraw quietly ?" 

" Well, they're getting ready for an attack, I expect. They're 
strengthening the fortifications, and have drawn the pickets up 
close to the town, and won't let any one go in or out. But there 
were some scouts just left here — if you could overtake them, 
they could tell you a good deal more about it than I can." 

" How long a stai't have they got?" inquired the soldier, with 
an interest that was not all pretended. 

"About fifteen minutes. They're on the way from Carthage 
to Gallatin." 

" It will hardly be possible for me to overtake mounted men ; 
I wish I'd come up a little sooner. Can you tell me anything 
about where the pickets are ." 

The position of one post was described carefully 

" One will do, thank you. You see, I just don't want to go 
prowling around between the posts so late at night. They might 
take me for a spy. But knowing exactly where one picket post 



512 Visiting Home Under Difficulties. 

is, I can make directly for that, and give myself up without dan- 
ger; and I'll be restored to my own command, providing it is 
still in Gallatin, as soon as the pickets are relieved. 

"The scouts were not riding very fast. You may possibly 
overtake them." 

"I wish I could. Well, I'll try my best, anyhow. Good 
evening." 

" Good evening." 

The soldier trudged on his way, but did not make any special 
effort to overtake the scouts. On the contrarj'', he left the pike 
at a point some five miles from his destination, and made his way 
through grove and field in a direction parallel to that of the 
road ; his intimate knowledge of the country enabling him to do 
this, as he thought, with entire safety. But so great was the 
physical exhaustion resulting from six weeks spent almost con- 
tinuously in the saddle, and the long tramp during the last few 
hours, that, strange as it may seem, he lost his way in a country 
with which he had been familiar since boyhood. Complete- 
ly worn out, the mechanical exercise of walking was not suffi- 
cient to keep his senses on the alert; and three times here- 
turned to consciousness, only to find that he had wandered far 
out of his way. As he made the circuit the last time, and re- 
turned to a point on the pike four miles from Gallatin, he saw, 
in the east, those faint gray streaks which foretell the approach 
of dawn. 

It would be certain death he knew, if he were found so near 
the Federal camp. He was footsore and weary, but this thought 
spurred him onward. The dangers of the highway were not 
equal to those of the daylight, and fearful of again mistaking his 
way, he struck out boldly for Gallatin along the pike; and day 
had not yet broken when he came in sight of his father's house, 
some three-quarters of a mile inside of the corporate limits. 

But danger was not yet over, though he had so nearly reach- 
ed his destination. The elevation that rose between his pre- 
sent position and the town was crowned by a camp-fire. The 
soldierly bearing of the forms that moved to and fro, darkly 
outlined by the glare of the flame, showed that this was a pick- 
et-fire. Thoroughly acquainted with the nature of the ground, 
he knew that the vidette's stand must be near his father's gate, 
and fearing that he might yet be obliged to run for his life, con- 
cluded to lighten his load of weapons as much as was consistent 



Visiting Home Under Difficulties. 



513 



with safety. Hiding one of his heavy army pistols in the corner 
of the fence, he glided cautiously along the hedge to the farm-yard 
fence. Peeping over, he saw that he had not been mistaken in 
his judgment as to the placing of the videttes, for just at the 
farm gate were two horsemen. 

Fortunately for the Confederate, their horses' heads were 
turned away from the direction in which he was approaching, 
and the men were lying upon their horses' necks, to all appear- 




Stealing by the Pickets. 

ance fast asleep. Stealing noiselessly across the pike, he slip 
ped past them unobserved, and was safe in the garden. A ligh, 
in the room of an invalid sister told him that some one was 
watching with her, and divesting himself of his boots he crept 
to a door sufficiently far away from the videttes, and knocked 
softly. Into the house we will not follow him, leaving the fam- 
ily reunion as a thing with which strangers have no business. 
•' His brief stay at the house was not altogether tranquil. He 
must remain in hiding from the servants, for the negroes were 
notoriously friendly to the United States officials, and might 
betray him ; he could catch but brief glances of his little child, 
for the two year old boy was old enough to talk, but too young 
to be discreet. Atone time, he looked out of the window of the 



514 Visiting Home Under Difficulties. 

secluded room in which his mother had locked him, and saw the 
yard beneath filled with blue-coated soldiery. Anxiously he ex- 
amined the one pistol which he had retained, to make sure that 
all the chambers were loaded ; expecting every moment to hear 
the noise they would make in searching the house for the Rebel 
whose presence there might have been made known to them. 
But the clatter of horses' hoofs along the hard road was soon 
heard, and as he saw the blue uniforms becoming less distinct in 
the darkness, he knew that his fears were, for this time at least, 
groundless. He was told as soon as things were quiet enough 
for any member of the family to venture near his room, that they 
were in pursuit of an unlucky citizen from Wilson county, who 
had gone into Gallatin upon some private business and did not 
relish being impressed to work on the forts. 

Night came on and he was as yet safe ; but his feet were so 
sore and swollen that he could not draw on his boots. Yet it 
was necessary that he should leave that very night, for every 
moment was one of danger both to him and to his family. By 
wearing a pair of soft shoes he was able to hobble slowly and 
painfully along. "With these shoes in his hand, he stole noiselessly 
from the house under cover of darkness and safely reached the 
field where he had left his pistol. But the very obscurity which 
had enabled him to pass the videttes unobserved rendered it im- 
possible for him to find the weapon which he had so carefully 
concealed among the high weeds in the fence corner. A long 
search proved fruitless, and he at last determined to remain 
where he was until the next night; as he did not wish to aban- 
don his pistol, his exhaustion had not fully vanished, his feet 
were so sore that it would be impossible for him to travel rapid- 
ly; and above all, his presence here, if he were captured, could 
not endanger his family as his presence in the house would have 
done. 

Here, then, in the high weeds and rank grass he lay all that last 
night of August, 1864 ; and the first September sun was high in 
the heavens when he awoke. All day long he lay there, listen- 
ing as the enemy's wagons lumbered along the pike or even 
came for forage into the field where he had concealed himself. 
About two hundred yards away, as he learned after the "War was 
over, there was a camp of refugee negroes, to the number of five 
or six hundred ; and as these went back and forth, he could hear 
their voices all day long j and this at a time when every sound 



I 



Visiting Home Under Difficulties. 515 

was alarming, as the merest accident might reveal his presence. 
His haversack had been •well filled before he left home, and 
among other things, contained a bottle of wine. Between eating, 
drinking, and reading the newspapers which were also in it, the 
day passed, and having duly secured his pistol, hesetoutassoon 
as darkness rendered his journey in any way safe. Reaching the 
Hartsville pike, he determined not to leave the road for any rea- 
son whatever, fearing that he might again be lost. A friend fer- 
ried him over the river, setting him down at the house of the Mr. 
Walton who had rowed him across while onhis way home. The 
friendly farmer had sent for the negro servant and horse 
which Capt. Guild had committed to the care of a comrade, and 
had hidden them near his house, that they might be in readiness 
for the soldier on his return. 

"Did you hear of the Grissim boys' murder?" he asked. 

"No," answered the soldier, aghast at the words ; and inquir- 
ed for the particulars. 

They were feelingly given by the old man, with many a word 
of bitter denunciation for the men who had enlisted in the Con- 
federate army, only to desert to the Federals; using their gray 
uniforms as a decoy to those who had been their comrades, and 
were now their victims. Nor was his picture of the general state 
of the surrounding country a reassuring one. All of the Con- 
federates had left the neighborhood ; not a man remained; while 
Yankee scouts were upon every road and by-path near. Not 
daunted by the picture of danger (and, indeed, he saw no way 
to avoid the perils thus indicated), the soldier, after resting 
at the house of this friend during the day, set out at night to- 
wards Lebanon, hoping there to find some friend who could in- 
form him of the position of the Confederates. 

His hopes were not to be disappointed, for he learned from 
Col. Anderson's sister that a portion of the Fourth Georgia had 
gone towards Nashville late that afternoon. He rode on, and in 
a short time reached Seawell Hill. 

" Halt ! Who goes there ?" challenged the picket. 

"A friend." 

" Dismount, friend, advance and give the countersign." 

" I haven't the countersign. My name is George Guild; I am 

captain of company C, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry; I have been 

home to Gallatin on a visit and am anxious to get back to m}' 

regiment. You belong to Gen. Wheeler's command, don't you ? 

83 



516 Visiting Home Under Difficulties. 

"You'll have to stay here until daylight Captain, anyhow." 
So the soldier and his servant slept on the vidette stand until 
morning, when Capt. Guild made his presence known to the 
colonel in command. But although he had thus safely reached a 
portion of the Confederate army, his adventures in returning 
from his brief visit home were not yet over. The Georgia regi- 
ment continued its march the next day, and being overtaken by 
Gen. Dibrell with some three or four hundred recruits, the en- 
tire forced moved forward for some distance, and at night went 
into camp on the turnpike near Readyville. 

But if, in their camp protected by all the safeguards which a 
general can employ, the tired soldiers sleptsoundly, they awoke 

" midst flame and smoke, 

And shout, and groan, and sabre stroke ;" 

for a force of some eleven hundred Yankees had literally caught 
them napping, and came charging down the turnpike in the graj' 
of early morning, before the reveille had sounded in the Confed- 
erate camp. They dashed down the road, their sabres gleaming 
in the faint light as they cut down all who opposed them, and 
rode onward without staying to see what resistance the Rebs 
might offer. Capt. Guild and two companions, seeing that the 
green troops could not be depended upon, and feeling sure that 
no resistance would be made, quietly mounted and rode off in the 
direction of Sparta, at which point nearly all of the command re- 
ported the next day ; very few having been killed or captured 
in that strange attack en passant. Our Tennessccan was soon ena- 
bled to make the journey from Sparta to Atlanta, where the main 
army was then located, and thus ended a dangerous trip, under- 
taken solely for the purpose of resting for one day under his fath- 
er's roof, and seeing once again the faces of those dear to the sol- 
dier. 



CAPTURED BY MOSBT. 

Congratulations — ^Spencer Kifles — Congratulations Postponed — Col. Mosby — The 
Auction — A Disgusted Darkey — Mosb3''s Defense of his Men — On to Rich- 
mond — The Bivouac — Plans for Escape — A Charming View — A Slim 
Chance — Scarce of Horses — A Successful Ruse — " Now's the Time, Boys" — 
A Sudden Melee — The Enemy Scattered — The Flight — Concealment — Why 
Wash Went for the Corn — Why He Hurried Back — " Looking out for 
Yanks" — Finding Them. 

IN the autumn of 1864, Capt. W. "W". Badger, Inspector Gen- 
eral of Cavalry in the Army of the Shenandoah, was order- 
ed to accompany in person a certain train, numbering about a 
thousand wagons, which was to convey supplies to Sheridan's 
army. Springing into the saddle just as the sun arose, he gal- 
loped away in the direction of the point where the train had 
been parked, nine miles away. It was a bright, crisp morning, 
and the keen air that blew over the icy Shenandoah was invig- 
orating to both men and horses. Accompanied by his orderly 
and a colored servant, he made good time, and in an hour from 
the time of starting was insight of the train, just leaving the lit- 
tle village, of Newtown. 

"You see. Wash," said he, turning to the darkey, who bore 
the name of the Father of his Country; "you see, the guerillas 
are not as thick as you thought they were. Mosby hasn't caught 
us, after all your fears of it." 

"Dat am a fac', sah," gravely responded Wash ; "Cunnel Mos- 
by ain't cotched us yet." 

"And he's not likely to, either," added the officer, with a 
laugh, as he slackened his horse's speed. 

They had now reached the town, and riding leisurely through 
the streets, were struck by the number of women who seemed 

617 



518 Captured by Mosby. 

to be looking out of the windows. As he passed, two or three 
waved their handkerchiefs at him, and gallantly making his 
best bow, with his sweetest smile, the handsome captain blush- 
ed with pleasure at the sensation he appeared to be making. 
Perhaps the keen air of the morning was becoming more genial 
with the rays of the sun ; perhaps his trusty steed needed a lit- 
tle rest; certain it is that he did not ride very rapidly through 
the village. But every town is passed through if the cavalier 
does not stop, though he ride ever so leisurely ; and at last they 
had reached a small grocery store just on the border of the vil- 
lage. 

In this store were a few men, evidently a part of the rear- 
guard, whose caps, embroidered with a Greek cross, proclaimed 
them to be members of the Sixth Corps. They wore no sabres, 
but were armed with revolvers and Spencer repeating rifles, 
then recently adopted by the United States, and not in use in 
the Confederate army. They were evidently in charge of anon- 
commissioned oflScer, and as he made his appearance, the stripes 
on the sleeve of his blue blouse showed him to be a sergeant. 
He respectfully saluted Capt. Badger, whom he evidently rec- 
ognized. 

"The train is some distance ahead of you, sergeant," said the 
latter, returning the salute ; " you had better close up, for this 
is one of Mosby's favorite beats." 

''AH right, sir," answered the sergeant, with a slight smile. 

Captain Badger rode on, and the sergeant, nodding to his men, 
who had heard the warning, sprang upon his horse, and, with 
his party, followed the officer's small party. There was, evi- 
dently, plenty of straggling from the rearguard of the train, for 
three other soldiers were riding just ahead of them. 

Wash, who had been riding a respectful distance behind his 
master, happened to overhear something that had been said by 
one of the sergeant's squad, and urged his horse onward until 
he was at the officer's side. 

"Marse Cap'n, dey's Secesh, shuah; run like ablacksnake war 
after you." 

Turning his head, Captain Badger saw that the warning was 
only too true. The six Spencers that had, more than their blue 
uniforms, prevented his entertaining any suspicion, were level- 
ed at him ; they having seen that the negro had discovered their 
true character. The sergeant, with drawn revolver, spurred his 



Captured by Moshy. 



519 



horse on, and called to the surprised Federal, authoritatively: 

"Halt — surrender !" 

There was no mistaking the meaning of the summons, and the 
odds would be too much against him in any attempt to escape. 
The wagon train could not be half a mile distant, he knew, but 
it was obscured from view by an intervening hill. In order to 
measure the chances of getting out of their clutches, he turned 
and took a rapid survey of the scene. High stone walls lined 




" Halt — surrender /" 

the road on either side ; in front, lay a creek, bridged, to be sure, 
but that bridge was held by the three supposed stragglers that he 
had observed in front of him, and their rifles were leveled at 
him. His horse was an excellent one, but nine rifles and a re- 
volver — ■ 

" >F«7Z you surrender ?" came in a still sharper tone, and the 
very muzzle of the revolver was pressed against his temple. 

"I am your prisoner, sir," he replied to this summons, having 
concluded to consider the chances of escape at some future time, 
when gunpowder should not make so large a factor. His sword 
and revolvers were taken in charge by the supj^osed sergeant, 
who now introduced himself as Lieut. Whiting, of the C. S. A. 

"We closed up as ordered. Captain ; I trust it was done prop- 
erly. I suppose discipline must be unusually good on the favor- 
ite beats of Mosby/* 



520 Captured by Moshy. 

"Well," was the reply, "you've sneaked on me like spies, in a 
uniform to which you have no right; but maybe my turn will 
come to-morrow." 

"Your turn for what — to be hanged V he asked, compressing 
his lips at the imputation of cowardice conveyed in the Feder- 
al's, tone; then continued, good-naturedly, "you see, we lay in 
ambush watching for stragglers, and saw you coming up. You 
were nobler game, and we hurried to get from the woods to the 
grocery just in time to seem like what you took us for — strag- 
glers from the rearguard." 

"Do you belong to Mosby's men, or to some other command V 

"To Mosby's, sir. Just turn here; we'll go along this creek — 
there's a fair road all the way — to report to the colonel, who is 
about three miles away." 

"I suppose there is no doubt about the treatment I shall re- 
ceive at your commander's hand V 

"I suppose not, sir, though you hardly understand that as I do." 

"What do you mean ?" 

"You see, some of our men were hanged as guerillas, at Front 
Eoyal, the other day, and Col. Mosby has threatened to retal- 
iate upon the first officer that falls into his hands, and as you 
are the only one captured since, why — " 

A significant pause followed, unbroken by either of the offi- 
cers for the remainder of the little journey. The soldiers follow- 
ing seemed to be in high glee over their capture of the officer, 
evidently not in the least underrating his importance. Turning 
from the path after a few minutes, they found themselves in the 
presence of about a hundred men, clad indifferently in blue and 
butternut, but all, evidently, owing allegiance to one who stood 
a little apart from them. This was the famous John S. Mosby, 
the Yirginian partisan. 

The prisoner's papers had been taken from him, and were 
now handed to the officer in command. Looking up as a curso- 
ry examination revealed the identity of the owner, he said in a 
voice that expressed not a little satisfaction 

"Ah, Captain Badger, Inspector G-eneral of Sheridan's Caval- 
ry, I perceive. Good morning, sir; I am very glad to see you; 
in fact, there's only one man I'd rather see here, and that's your 
commander. I suppose you know that some of my men were 
hanged at Front Eoyal the other day." 

"I knew of it, sir, and protested against the setting of such an 



Captured by Mosby. 



521 



example — one so suggestive of retaliation by the enemy." 
''Hum! Were you present?" 

"I was ; and regretted very much that it was the men who 
were to be hanged, and not the commander." 

A grim smile curved the yellow-brown moustache of the Con- 
federate, as he turned to Lieut. Whiting with the brief order: 
"Search him." 

In accordance with the usual practice, his valuables, and even 

his boots, were divided 
among the men in a fixed 
proportion ; the various 
articles being put up at 
auction to determine the 
value which should he 
set upon them 

"Let's raffle the nig- 
ger," suggested one. 

"All right," responded 
a chorus of voices J "How 
much?" 

"I reckon about two 
thousand," answered an- 
other, scanning him criti- 
Col. John S. Mosby. callv 

Confederate money, which had then greatly depreciated, was 
of course the standard; and as the boots had sold for six hun- 
dred and fifty, and the watch for three thousand, this was an ex- 
tremely low estimate. It caused great indignation in the breast 
of the person most nearly concerned. 

"I'se none of yo'r good-fur-nuffln' niggers, gemmen ; I'se 
wuff a heap mo' dan two thousand dollars in yo' blue-back 
money ; I'se wuff dat much in greenbacks or gold. I kin make 
de bes' milk punch in de country, ef you all jest had de tings to 
make it out of, gemmen." 

There was a general laugh at his appreciation of their pover- 
ty ; but a negro in attendance on Mosby grew as indignant at 
the insinuation as Wash had been at the low estimate of his 
value. 

"You jest shet up, you fool nigger ; we'se got lots of good 
liquor; jest take a drink now, and see ef it ain't fust-class." 

"No, tank you, sab; I prefeh not to, sah," answered Wash, 




522 Captured by Mosby. 

with dignity and courtesy happily blended in his manner. 

"Why don't you drink with him?" inquired Captain Badger, 
in an undertone. 

"I don' want to drink wid dat nigger, sahj too much freeder 
breeds despise, sah." 

Taking his prisoner to one side, after these matters had beer 
concluded, Col. Mosby handed back to him some articles pre- 
sumably valuable from association, but not intrinsically so; 
among other things a small Masonic pin. With the mystic sign 
which revealed him to be a member of the brotherhood, he said 
quietly: 

''You had better keep that; it may be of service to you among 
my men. You and your people are mistaken in thinking them 
guerillas. They are regularly enlisted men in the Confederate 
army, but selected from the various commands as peculiarly fit- 
ted for this kind of service. We plunder the enemy, of course; 
the rules of war allow it; but we do not go beyond the rules. 
If we hang prisoners, it is simply in retaliation for similar treat- 
ment of our men. I hanged eight men on the Valley Pike yes- 
terday in retaliation for those of mint? executed at Front Royal. 
I can hang two for one as long as you are disposed to keep up 
the game; but I have written to Gen. Sheridan, asking him to 
agree in stopping such barbarities. I can assure you, sir, it is 
no more agreeable to me than to any other soldier. I sincerely 
hope he will assent to it." 

Captain Badger made a suitable answer to this speech, being 
quite won over to the belief by the quiet earnestness of the 
Confederate; and the partisan turned away to give orders re- 
garding the march. It was "On to Richmond," and with the 
memory of all the traditions of Libby that he had ever heard re- 
peating themselves in his ears, the prisoner fell into the place 
in the column which the captor designated. Nine other Feder- 
al soldiers, besides himself and his orderly, had been captured 
by various parties detailed from the main body of the com- 
mand ; and these eleven men were now to be dispatched to Rich- 
mond under a guard of fifteen. Lieut. Whiting was in command, 
and Mosby himself rode with the column for some distance. 

Among the prisoners were two who from this time assume some 
importance in the story : McCauley, or ''Mack," a smooth-faced 
boy of eighteen, whose features were of almost feminine delica- 
cy, and Brown, one of Blaser's scouts. Capt. Badger endeavored 



I 



Captured by Moshy. 523 

to gain the confidence of all the men, in order that by co-opera 
tion they might have a better chance of escape; and found that 
while all were generally reliable, these two, at least, could be 
depended upon in any emergency; tliey were ready to risk their 
lives if half a chance of liberty presented itself. 

Marching rapidly onward, they bivouacked for the night in a 
deserted school-house, which had been prepared for the recep- 
tion of such as they were. Three men were detailed as relief 
guard for the entry at the door, all other openings having stout 
planks securely nailed over them; the remainder, having stood 
their carbines by a low school desk which ran along one wall, 
and laid their revolvers upon the same support, were placed 
side by side upon the floor, with their heads just beneath this 
desk; the prisoners were similarly ranged on the other side of 
the room, the feet of the two rows of sleepers nearly meeting on 
the central line of the floor. The room was dimly lighted by a 
fire before the door. 

Captain Badger had taken care to place himself between 
Brown and Mack, and warned by him, they kept wide awake ; 
indeed, with them as with the other prisoners, the dread of Lib- 
by was so great that it overpowered all desire for slumber, Not 
so with the guard. "Weariness can snore upon the flint," and 
they were veterans enough to find a pine floor a comfortable 
bed. They were soon snoring, while the sentinel dozed over 
his pipe. 

" Are you awake. Mack V 

" Yery much so, thank you, sir." 

" And you. Brown ?" 

« Couldn't sleep if I tried." 

" Have you thought of any plan of escape ?" 

" I think I know a good one, Captain," answered Mack, after a 
moment's hesitation; " see where their arms are? Now if we 
could all of us make one grand rush we'd get them, every carbine 
and pistol of 'em and then I guess we could stampede the guard 
and get away." 

" It's pretty risky," murmured the captain, doubtfully. 

" Any plan is bound to be risky, sir," urged the proposer of 
this. 

"Well, pass the whisper along the line, and see if the men are 
willing to try it." 

After a few minutes' delay, the two were ready to report 



524 Captured by Mosby. 

the result, which was not very encouraging to the daring spirits. 

" There ain't but two men on this side," said Brown. 

"And only one on this," added Mack, with as much disgust in 
his voice as its whispering tone would permit. 

" Well, it's such a risky thing anyhow," decided the officer, 
"■ but if they don't come into it willingly we can't urge it on 
them." 

Silence reigned once more supreme among the prisoners, and 
still the guard snored on. 

" Tell you what, Captain, I know how to do it now," said 
Mack, excitedly, after a few moment's thought. 

*'Sh ! Be careful," cautioned the officer ; "they might hear us 
talking and suspect something. But what is the new plan ?" 

" Do you think the men would use the arms if they once had 
them?" 

" O yes ; I don't think they are fools or cowards either." 

"Well, I'll creep over and get them every one." 

" A single noise or a false step would betray you." 

" I know it." 

" The chances are a thousand to one against you." 

"But there is one." 

" I am not sure of that. The result of discovery would be in- 
stant death for you " — 

"I know it." 

" Perhaps for all of us. I don't believe it can be done. You 
must not risk it." 

" I'd like the best in the world to go. Captain, and I believe I 
could doit, but" — 

"You must not, my boy. It is impossible for man to accom- 
plish such a thing. I should do very wrong to allow you to do 
it. Let us go to sleep now, so that if an opportunity for escape 
occurs to-morrow we may be fresh and well-prepared." 

So at last they slept, and the long hours of the night passed 
slowly away. The next morning Avas wet and gloomy, and the 
column, setting out early on the march, presented anything but 
a cheerful appearance. Their road wound around the mountain 
side, and as they reached a point about one-third of the distance 
from the summit, Col. Mosby called Capt. Badger's attention 
to the view. 

"You see it's as good as a map of the country," he said. " This 
is a favorite promenade of mine. I like to see the forces which 



i 



Captured by Moshy. 525 

your people send out after me almost daily. There's one of 
them now." 

" A jiart of my own regiment T' exclaimed his unwilling guest, 
as he recognized the familiar badges and the various particulars 
by which the accoutrements of different regiments are distin- 
guished. 

*' Is it, indeed ?" asked the Confederate, with a slight smile; 
"then let me advise you to take a good look at them, for they're 
the last of their kind you'll be likely to see for some time to 
come." 

They paused for some time at this spot, Col. Mosby seeming 
to find great satisfaction in looking at the force of Federals which 
moved along beneath not more than half a mile away ; mov- 
ing onward, they reached the road running through Manassas 
Gap, a short time before noon, and here the colonel left them^ 
saying, as he bade them good-bye: 

" I reckon all your chances of escape or rescue are about gone, 
now. Captain; you're some distance inside of our lines." 

Passing Chester Gap, descending into the valley and moving 
toward Sperryville, on the road to Eichmond, their guard was 
reduced to three men, still commanded by Lieut. Whiting. But 
this diminution of the guard did not increase their chances of 
escape, for, as Mosby had told them, they were far within the Con- 
federate lines; they had only a general knowledge of the coun- 
try ; they could not depend upon meeting any but enemies ; and 
each man of the escort was provided with a double supply of 
arms, while they were entirely without weapons. 

The eleven prisoners were now provided with seven horses, so 
that four of them must walk ; and in order that each man might 
have his turn, there were frequent halts to enable them to dis- 
mount and change places. To the saddle of the pack-horse which 
carried their provisions and blankets, two extra carbines had 
been strapped, muzzle downward, and fastened to each were all 
the necessary accoutrements. To gain possession of these car- 
bines might be a step towards liberty, and Capt. Badger racked 
his brains to think how it might be done. Could it be accomplish- 
ed while they where changing horses? Hardly, for then, of 
conrse, the guards were always especially alert. 

"Do you see those carbines. Mack?" he asked, as in the confu- 
sion of the men's changing places he found opportunity. 

" On the pack-horse ? Yes, sir," answered Mack, with a long- 



526 Captured by Mosby. 

ing gaze at them, and thinking again of Libby Prison. 

There was one horse among the seven that was hardly worthy 
of the name, so thin and broken down was he; of course, no one 
wished to ride this, and when Mack chanced to be assigned to it 
there was no one to dispute possession. We say chanced, though 
in fact he had, by his apparent modesty in standing hack until 
most of the others were mounted, endeavored to effect this very 
arrangement. They had proceeded but a little way when the ani- 
mal was perceived to be lame. With many expressions of concern, 
Mack dismounted, and marching back through the rain which was 
now falling in torrents, asked the oflScer in command : 

*'May I ride the pack-horse, sir? The one that they gave me 
seems to be badly lamed," 

The lieutenant looked at the boy, but he appeared so innocent, 
and his tone was so frank and engaging, that suspicion never 
once entered his mind ; and the desired permission was given. 
Captain Badger was so kind as to assist his fellow-prisoner in 
arranging the packs so as to allow room for a comfortable seat 
on the horse ; a matter to which the guards paid little attention; 
their whole time being occupied in keeping themselves and the 
accoutrements as dry as the torrents of rain would permit. 
Mack was covered by a huge poncho, which, as he sat on the 
horse, covered the packs as well ; completely concealing the 
carbines from view. 

The prisoners formed the center of the column, the three Con- 
federates riding in front and on their left, while Lieut. Whiting 
acted as rearguard. Usually, Capt. Badger rode beside the lat- 
ter, but they were now so far within the Southern lines that dis- 
cipline was considerably relaxed, and the prisoners were allow- 
ed much more liberty of action than would have been safe un- 
der other circumstances, even with a larger guard. It excited 
no wonder, then, when Capt. Badger rode across to Brown, and, 
dismounting, asked him to tighten the girth. Brown complied, 
and as he was at work, Capt. Badger said to him, in a tone too 
low to allow any one else to distinguish the words: 

"Mack has possession of two carbines ; get up by his side and 
communicate with him. I will give the signal — the words, 
'j^ow's the time, boys' — then seize one of the carbines and do 
your duty as a soldier if you value your liberty. Tell him what 
the signal is to be." 

They rode quietly on for some time, the prisoners chatting 



I 



528 



Captwed by Mosby. 




Captured by Moshy. 529 

with each other and with the guard ; bnt the general conversa- 
tion came to an end when Capt. Badger began a spirited account 
of the charge of Sheridan's army at Winchester. Night was 
drawing on, and the shade of the willow trees which here over- 
hung the road added an additional gloom to the thoughts of the 
men there present, now captives, but then animated by all the 
fury of the battle. Yet they almost forgot themselves and their 
])resent condition as they recalled that day of which the officer 
was now drawing a vivid picture in words. 

"Just at that moment," he went on, "he waved his sword un- 
til it flashed like lightning in the sunshine, and with the shout, 
' Now's the time, boys !' " — 

The speaker threw himself upon the Confederate officer, and 
grasping him in a close embrace, endeavored to obtain his re- 
volver. This once effected, the lieutenant might be compelled 
to act as guide for them until they were safely out of the Con- 
federate lines. Mack had shot two of the guards, and now turn- 
ed to see the desperate struggle going on between the two offi- 
cers; for a moment he hesitated, for there was considerable 
danger of hitting the wrong man if he fired ; but as they wres- 
tled with each other, the face of the Southerner was turned to- 
ward him a moment, clearly seen over his antagonist's shoulder ; 
and raising the carbine for a third time, he took aim and fired. 
The bullet took effect between the eyes, and as it crashed 
through the skull into the brain, the Confederate fell heavily 
forward into the arms«of whose embrace he had so desperately 
resisted — dead. 

Brown had done less execution; practiced scout as he was, 
and used to such emergencies, as might be supposed, this seem- 
ed to be a more startling one than he had ever experienced or 
was prepared for. He had indeed fired one shot, but being 
somewhat nervous, had only wounded the third guard, who rode 
off at full speed, firing his pistol as he went, to alarm the coun- 
try. This, of course, made their situation doubly dangerous; 
the country would be alarmed in an hour, and men perfectly ac- 
quainted with every feature of it dispatched in search of them; 
they knew only the general outlines of the district in which 
they were ; the enemy's camps could not be far off, for they had 
already passed one line of pickets, and might, at any step in their 
course, be challenged by others. They were well armed with two 
carbines that bad been on the pack-horse, and those belonging 



530 Captured by Mosby. 

to the Confederates that had been killed ; as well as with the re- 
volvers of the three; but their number had dwindled as soon as 
the first shot had been fired, and now there remained only Cap- 
tain Badger, Mack, Brown, and one other soldier, and Wash ; 
the others had already scattered over the country, to escape to 
his friends, each man as he could. 

Mounting the best horses, they immediately struck out for the 
mountain on their right; but concluding that this would be 
the most dangerous, because the most natural course to take, 
they soon turned their horses' heads directly to the south, and 
rode straight into the heart of the enemy's countrj-. The fear 
of recapture, which meant certain death, urged them on, and 
though it was already the middle of the afternoon when they re- 
gained their freedom, they accomplished a distance of thirty 
miles before the twilight had finally faded. 

Turning sharply to the right as soon as darkness favored their 
flight, they urged their almost exhausted horses up the moun- 
tains; but at last, wearied out by the long journey made at such 
a rapid pace, the poor beasts could no longer climb the steep 
hill. Abandoning them to the tender mercies of whoever should 
find them, the riders continued the ascent on foot, breaking 
twigs from the trees as they went, so that there would be no 
danger of returning by the same route. Just as daylight was 
breaking over the valley, they reached the top of the mountain, 
whence they could see the Confederate j^osition, as the day be- 
fore they had seen that of their friends. * 

Creeping into a friendly thicket, they endeavored to wait pa- 
tiently until darkness should enable them to continue their 
flight. On a barren mountain in an enemy's country, without 
food or water, their minds filled with anxiety as to their im- 
pending fate, we cannot wonder that the day dragged wearily 
on. For days they remained in this hiding-place, for when dark- 
ness came it only made visible the innumerable camp-fires which 
dotted the sides of the mountain ; while daylight showed party 
after party of Confederate scouts seeking for the escaped pris- 
oners. 

Hungry men are not over dainty, and when two days had 
passed since they had tasted food, a little dog that had strayed 
into their hidden camp fell a victim to their necessity. But it 
was by no means enough to satisfy their appetites, and as time 
went on, and no other food was obtainable, they grew desper- 



I 



Captured by Mosby. 



531 



ate. Some one must venture out for food, or they must starve. 

"There's a corn-field down the road," suggested one; "Wash, 
won't you go and get us some corn 1" 

"No, sah." 

"I'd go myself, only it would be suicide. They'd not suspect 
you, Wash, as anything but one of their own servants." 

But Wash remained obdurate; he had no notion of running 
such a risk alone; it would have been differentif there had been 



j It wuuiu iiave ueeii uiiitji en b u 







''Did any of you ever eat any negro?" 

a soldier with him, but, as had been said, that would have meant 
the sacrifice of all their hopes. A pause followed the darkey's 
refusal, broken, after a la^^se of some time, by Mack: 

"Did any of you ever eat any negro?" 

Wash's eyes were all whites. 

"Don't know as I ever did," answered Brown, taking the cue ; 
^'is it good eating?" 

"First-rate, if it's not too fat." 

This with a significant glance at Wash, who was as lean as a 
herring. 

"I'm awful hungry," announced Brown, as if it were news. 

"So am I ; in fact, I guess we all are. We can't get at that 
84 



532 Captured by Moshy. 

corrij and I guess it'll have to end in our feeding on some" — 

Mack bent over and whispered something to Brown, keeping 
his eyes fixed hungrily on Wash. The latter shifted his posi- 
tion several times, turning his eyes uneasily from one to the 
other; but all felt that it was necessary to compel him, by some 
means or other, to go to the corn-field, and they drew together, 
occasionally, with mysterious whispers and meaning looks. At 
last the poor fellow could stand it no longer, and out came 
the words, 

"I reckon I kin git dat cawn, mebbe." 

He started down the mountain-side, alone. No words can tell 
the terror which thrilled his every nerve as he groped his wa>' 
through the darkness; but worse than being caught by the Con 
federates, worse than being pursued by the ghosts and witches 
which might reasonably be supposed to be abroad in that lonely 
place, at that hour of the night, was the dread of being killed 
and eaten — yes, cooked and eaten — by the hungi-y Federals 
above. At last the corn-field was reached ; behind any of thos«.) 
tall stalks there might be a Confederate or a ghost — cquall}- 
probable and equally terrible suppositions; any one of those 
broad yellow blades, rustling in the breeze, might be a sword ; 
but the necessity of the case permitted no delaj^ ; hastily gath- 
ering an arm load of the rij)ened ears, he almost flew up the 
steep ascent. 

"Why, Wash, you came back in a hurrj-." 

"Knowed you all was hungry, Massa Cap'n." 

The explanation was permitted to go unchallenged, as they 
revelled in the bliss of three ears of corn apiece. 

But this state of aftuirs could not last long. Before their 
strength was exhausted, they must make a greater ertort to gain 
the Federal lines; so, going still farther south, they finally 
abandoned the mountains altogether ; and having flanked Ear- 
ly's army, they came upon the Shenandoah, twenty miles south 
of his position. Here, living in the woods upon such roots as 
they could find and the little game that could be trapped (for 
they dared not fire a shot), they built a rude raft, launched it, 
and in one night floated forty miles down the river. But this 
was too dangerous a mode of traveling for the daytime, so they 
took to the land again. Having provided themselves with 
horses from various sources, they passed themselves off", on more 
than one party of Confederates, as disguised scouts "looking out 



Captured by Mosby. 533 

for Yankees which were reported to be abroad in the country/' 
Their account of the occupation in which they were engaged 
was a most truthful one, although the interviewers did not see it 
in exactly the right light; believing rather in the "disguise" 
which was their proper dress. Hence the}'- were permitted to 
go on their way unquestioned, and finally found the Yankees 
they wore seeking; arriving safely, though footsore and hungry, 
at the Federal lines; the officer, at least, resolved never again 
to trust a blue uniform or a Spencer carbine unless he knew the 
owner by some other token. 



AKRESTING A SMUGGLER. 

Reasons for the Trade — The Efforts of the Police — The Military Authorities — 
Going it Alone — A Green Soldier — A Surly Sailor — A Fine Boat — The Ar- 
rest — A Combat of Will — He Concludes to Surrender — The Lumber Yard — 
Completely Vanquished. 
66 A LL'S fair in love and war" is an old saying, often quoted 
/\ by those who adopted means generally considered ex- 
tremely unfair. At no time is such a maxim repeated more fre- 
quently than during civil war, when many things combine to al- 
low of much deception on either side. During our "late onpleas- 
antness,"such battling of wits formed no trifling part of the con- 
test. To say nothing of the exploits of scouts and spies, there 
were many instances. If the Southern ports were blockaded, 
adventurous spirits took delight in eluding the vigilance of the 
Northern vessels ; and on land, many persons of fair standing in 
time of peace engaged in the work of smuggling medicines and 
other necessities for the use of the Confederate Army. Others 
again, went into the business simply for the sake of the enormous 
profits that were to be made in selling goods which were so hard 
to obtain. 

Of course, since it was the policy of the United States, as of 
every belligerent power, to cut off the Confederacy from all such 
supplies from without, a strict watch was kept all along the bor- 
der, to make sure that no such contraband trade was carried on. 
In states which remained in the Union, but which, like Mary- 
land, Kentucky and Missouri, had many strong Secessionist peo- 
ple, there was of course greater danger than in those whose loy- 
alty was unquestionable j and in the three mentioned, the Fed- 
eral authorities never relaxed their vigilance. 
634 



Arresting a Smuggler. 535 

Though, in spito of their untiring watchfulness, the work went 
on to no small extent, the offenders were often informed on by 
men whom they had trusted; and often, a piece of carelessness 
arising from long security would excite suspicion and lead to 
discovery. It was probably by the first means that the author- 
ities of the city of Baltimore obtained information of a gang of 
smugglers that, in the fall of 1864, were engaged in conveying 
provisions and other supplies from that point to the South ; as 
the chief was very minutely described to them. The municipal 
officials were further told that while this man was desperate in 
courage, his associates were by no means so determined ; and 
that his capture would, in all probability, break up the gang as 
effectually as if all were taken. 

Desiring to show the soldiers stationed in the city what the 
majesty of the law, unaided by the bayonet, could accomplish, the 
Chief of Police selected four of the bestmen ontheforce, andhim- 
self instructed them to look for the man answering to the descrip- 
tion, and to capture him, dead or alive. Armed to the teeth, 
they set out; their revolvers were loaded when they went; and 
when they returned, not a chamber had been emptied; for the 
smuggler had been so long identified with the criminal classes 
that he probably knew the face of every man on the police force. 
Again and again the attempt was made, but with no better re- 
sult than at first; and the Chief of Police concluded that the 
majesty of the law must content itself with punishing the pris- 
oner after he had been caught. 

The matter was accordingly handed over to the military au- 
thorities ; and a certain young officer, whose daring courage had 
been often manifested, was summoned to the office of the provost- 
marshal. 

''Sergeant F , there have been extensive frauds practiced 

upon the Government by a gang of smugglers this fall; and the 
leader must be captured. This is the written description hand- 
ed me by the civil authorities. Study it well to-night, and be 
ready to-morrow morning to start out to capture him. How 
many men do you want to help you?" 

"I'll try it alone, sir, if you will allow it. When shall I re- 
port again ?" 

"Not until you have taken the smuggler, dead or alive," re- 
turned the superior, decisively. "Here are your written orders, 
with the description," 



536 Arresting a Smuggler. 

The sergeant returned to his quarters to perform the first part 
of the task assigned him; and having made himself well ac- 
quainted with the pen-picture of the man he was to look for, 
sallied out, early the next morning, on the quest. Though he was 
in uniform, and carried the usual side-arms, no one would have 
thought him bound on an important errand, so carelessly did he 
saunter along. He seemed to be perfectly unacquainted with the 
city, and not thoroughly used to the glory of a uniform ; while 
frequently he viewed the yellow bars on his sleeve with no small 
satisfaction. All this was done to impress the men on the wharf 
with the idea that he was but a recent acquisition to the United 
States Army, and was not at all familiar with the city of Baltimore. 
Of course, the curiosity with which he scanned the vessels there 
moored was in strict keeping with the character which he had 
assumed, and no one imagined the real reason why he looked so 
closely at the boats. 

He had gone so far along the wharf without seeing the object 
for which he was looking that he feared he must make up his 
mind to return a baffled report. The smuggler evidently was 
not in port that day, and he would have to wait at least twenty- 
four hours. But just as he arrived at this conclusion, he saw, a 
short distance from him, a small vessel, on board of which was 
a large, muscular looking man who answered exactly to his de- 
scription. Strolling leisurely along, the soldier looked critical- 
ly at the boat, as any man, interested in such things, might look 
at any vessel. So natural was his manner that the alarm of thv9 
smuggler was not aroused ; although, from the nature of his bus- 
iness, he was always on the outlook for an enemy. The soldier, 
as he approached, gave a friendly nod as he caught the smug- 
gler's eye, and called out to him: 

''Fine morning, sir." 

"Good enough," growled the sailor, so gruffly that the words 
hardly reached the soldier's ear. 

"What did you say, sir ?" asked the latter, stopping short, di- 
rectly opposite the boat. 

"I said it was good enough weather," returned the other, with 
no more good humor than before. 

"Don't know as I ever saw finer fall weather," continued the 
soldier, looking around him, but mentally comparing the sailor 
with the description of the smuggler, 

"Humph !" grunted the other. 



Arresting a Smuggler. 537 

"That's a fine boat, isn't she ? she must be worth a pile." 

"Yes." assented the sailor, frowning at the speaker. But the 
soldier's admiration of the boat was so genuine that any lurking 

suspicion was half disarmed. As Sergeant F examined the 

boat, the eyes under the darkly over hanging brows watched him 
closely; and though, when he stepped on board he was not or- 
dered to stay on the wharf, they still followed every step. The 
soldier was by this time thoroughly convinced that the man before 
him was the one he had been commissioned to capture, and he 
was determined to execute his orders at once. But a personal 
struggle with that muscular frame would not be likely to result 
in any good to the soldier's slighter form; and he determined 
to try strategy where force was impossible. 

"There's a sight of vessels out to-day, isn't there?" 

"Don't know as there is." 

"The wharf is black with wagons and men and horses. Ain't 
business any brisker than usual to-day ?" 

"Ko brisker nor no duller than usual," returned the man ad- 
dressed, with a shade of contempt for the poor greenhorn who 
was so impressed by the usual amount of traffic. 

"That's a queer looking craft yonder — that black one, that the 
tug has in tow." 

As the sergeant expected, the smuggler, R , turned his 

head in the direction in which F had pointed. Quick as 

lightning the soldier had drawn and aimed his pistol. 

" That there's a coal"— 

" You are my prisoner — surrender, or I firCo" 

R drew back, and, with an oath, reached for his own 

revolver. 

" Don't you dare to draw, sir." 

"Who in the devil are you, anyhow," demanded the smuggler, 
hoping to brazen it out. 

"I am an agent of the United States Government, with writ- 
ten orders to take you, dead or alive. I intend to execute them." 

" What are you to arrest me for ?" 

"You know very well." 

The smuggler saw that his first plan had failed, and fell back 
on a sort of bravado. 

" I'll not be taken alive," he hissed out from between his teeth, 
as, clenching his fists angrily, he made one step forward. 

♦'Stand back— don't advance another step. Will j^ou surrender 



538 



Arresting a Smuggler. 



and come with me peaceably, or must I shoot you down?" 
"No, I won't." 

" All right, then. I've told you what my orders were.'' 

The smuggler answered not a word, and the soldier waited a 

moment, trusting that he would decide to surrender. So they 

stood, the stronger man seemingly fascinated by the steady gaze 

of the other, as it is said a lion is controlled by the power of the 




" Don't you dare to draw, sir !" 

human ej^c. As the soldier saw that there was no sign of submis^ 
sion, he was about to pull the trigger when a large freight wag- 
on rumbled by on the wharf. 

" Hello, driver, back that wagon wp here," he shouted. 

''What for?" 

" Do as I tell you, or you'll be the second. Now, are you go- 
ing to surrender and go with me ?" This last to the smuggler. 

"What if I don't?" 

" That wagon is ready to take your body to the provost-mar- 
shal's." 

" Great Scott !" exclaimed the driver; "what are you going 
to shoot him, for?" 

'•' Those are my orders. Once more, will you come ?" 

There was a warning click and a readjustment of aim which 
gave a dreadful emphasis to the question. . Human flesh and 



Arresting a Smuggler. 539 

blood could stand it no longer — the strain was too great. 

" Well, I guess I'll have to " came reluctantly from the smug- 
gler. 

" Hand over your arms." 

" D — n me for a fool, I ain't got any about me. Do you think 
I'd' a' given up that way if I'd had my pistols here ?" 

It was a literal fact. Eendered careless by the perfect impun- 
ity with which, for months, he had pursued his contraband trade, 
he had left his pistol-belt, with the weapons, in the little cabin 
of the vessel. Having satisfied himself that this was so, Ser- 
geant F gave the order: 

"You go ahead; I'll follow." 

By this means he was able to see the slightest movement 
looking towards escape ; while a word now and then directed 
the prisoner what course to take. But before they set out, the 
soldier, knowing the great strength of the man, had handcuffed 
him; and thus marked as a criminal, he could hardly hope to 
fiscape while passing through the streets. Still the soldier wished 
fo shorten the way as much as possible, and for that purpose or- 
dered the prisoner to cut across a large lumber yard; a route by 
which they could save nearly two blocks. 

The lumber was in huge piles, separated by narrow alleys. 
It seems strange that the sergeant should not have preferred to 
make a circuit, rather than pass through this place, which, from 
its arrangement and seclusion, offered admirable opportunities 
for escajje ; but he trusted to his own vigilance and activity. The 
prisoner had been on the alert ever since his surrender, watching 
for a chance to give his captor the slip. The fact that the soldier 
had put up his revolver seemed encouraging; he could perhaps 
be out of sight before it could be drawn and aimed. The place 
through which they were noAv passing would enable him to twist 
and turn so that no aim could be taken. Stronger and stronger 
grew the wish for liberty ; and at last, as they got to the middle 
of the yard, equally distant from the street on either front, he 
darted suddenly around the end of a large pile of boards, and 
into a narrow passage. 

The movement was as quick as thought ; and had the sergeant 
been a heavy man, he might have been unable to follow rapidly 
enough to do any good; as the hare, in doubling, gains on the 
hounds. But in this case, it was the hare in pursuit of the 
hounds, and the soldier followed close upon the heels of the 



540 Arresting a Smuggler. 

smuggler. His sabre flashed in the sunshine as he drew it from 
the scabbard and raised it for the blow. It descended heavily, 
suddenly, upon the smuggler's head ; and stunned by the force 
of the blow, the prisoner fell to the ground. 

Bending over him, the sergeant found that the cut, on the side 
of the head, was severe, but not dangerous. He bound it up care- 
fully with his handkerchief, and helped the man to his feet. So 
they went on, though but slowly now, to the provost-marshal's 
ofiice, the wounded man making no further attempt to escape. 
R was duly delivered into the custody of the provost-mar- 
shal, thence to the civil authorities. Arraigned before the courts, 
he was tried for violation of the revenue laws, having extended 
his trips southward to the West Indies after having got his 
goods to a Southern port; and returned io the United States 
with a cargo of foreign goods on which he systematically evad- 
ed the duties. He was found guilty and sentenced to a term in 
the penitentiary. Of course, the offense of supplying goods to 
the Confederates could not be proven, as the witnesses were 
in the seceded States. 



j^^HAPTEF^ ^. 



TWO OF THE BLACK HORSE CAVALRY. 

Organization of the Corps — Circumstances of One Adventure — The Price of Liq- 
uor — Honor Pledged — "As Easy as Lying" — A Part of the Price — The Rest 
of It — An Lnportant Prisoner — Gen. Stuart's Gallantry Tested — He Sees the 
Joke — The Corps Disbanded. 

WHEN the probability of a war between the states was 
still a point upon which men held different opinions, an 
officer of the United States Army organized a military body 
that was destined, in a few years, to become famous as the Black 
Horse Cavalry. For a time it seemed to be merely an organi- 
zation designed to gratify the passion, then so common, for uni- 
forms and military drill ; and it was not until April, 1861, near- 
ly two years from the time that they were first set in line, that 
they were employed in any work other than police duty in keep- 
ing order or preventing a popular riot. 

But it is not our object to trace the history of this well-known 
corps. Composed of the flower of Virginian manhood, and num- 
bering, in the names composing the roll, more than one since 
made eminent in literature or active life, they were possessed 
by an adventuresome daring that led them into danger where 
prudence would have kept them safe. It must be remembered, 
too, that the cavalry is the part of an army which meets with ad- 
ventures ; that the infantry and artillery do the heavier work of 
the pitched battles; while the cavalry is used in the numberless 
raids, reconnoissances, etc., the history of which possesses so 
much interest. Then, too, although the inequality did not long 
exist, the Southern cavalry, in the early days of the War, stood 
out pre-eminent; for the Federals were notably deficient in that 
♦rm of the service. 



542 



Two of the Mack Horse Cavalry. 



Let a single exploit of two members of this body serve as an 
example of their methods. 

"Fighting Joe Hooker" had succeeded Burnside in the com- 
mand of the Army of the Potomac; and the Confederate Gen. 
Fitzhugh Lee had, "with a brigade of cavalry, crossed the Rap- 
pahannock and driven in the Federal pickets. As he returned 
with his prisoners to the left flank of the Confederate army, 
some of the members of the Black Horse became dissatisfied 

with the amount of adventure which 
had fallen to their share, and asked 
permission to follow up the enemy 
as he marched to Fredericksburg. 
Their plan was to pick up strag- 
glers or horses, as opportunity should 
invite. 

Ten or a dozen were given the 
desired permission, but the sport 
proved poor; and when they had 
gone some distance and failed to 
find the objects of their search, all 
but two concluded to return. 

"Come on, Joe," cried one, famili- 
arly known as Old Blaze, when he 
found that such was the purpose of 

his companions, "I don't believe you 
Black Horse Cavalryman. . , i i -ii. j.r 

want to go back with them any 

more'n I do." 

"You can just bet your bottom dollar, I don't. Come on, boys, 
don't go back yet. There'll be some fun presently." 

"Can't see it," replied one, with indifference. 

"We'll leave all the fun to you and Boteler," said another, ad- 
dressing "Old Blaze." 

"All right, then ; if you want to give it up so. Good bye." 

"Good bye. Don't get captured yourselves by stragglers." 

And with this friendly caution the less persevering rode awaj', 
while the two more ventures- -me kept on their course. They 
had not gone far before a mo»c annoying deficiency in their sup- 
plies was discovered — there was not a drop of liquor in either 
canteen. This was a state of affairs not to be endured, but how 
was it to be remedied ? 

"I tell you what we can do," said Boteler; "Mrs. H. lives up 




Two of the Black Horse Cavalry. 543 

here near the Staiford line; let's go call on her. She'll fill our 
canteens for us, I know." 

Away to the house of Mrs. H. they accordingly rode, to meet 
with the heartiest of receptions. 

"You see, Mrs. H.," explained Mr, Boteler, "Mr. Blaisdell and 
myself are out on a little scout of our own. The rest of the boys 
have gone on with Gen. Lee's brigade, but we wanted to capture 
some Yankees." 

**rm sure I wish you all possible success," rejoined the old 
lady, politely. 

"But there is one thing of which we are very much in need — 
which, in fact, we can't well do without," continued Boteler. 

''Is it powder? I have plenty that the boys got the last 
time they went to the mill." 

"No, ma'am; in fact, our canteens are empty, and if you have 
any liquor to spare we'd be very much obliged to you to fill 
them." 

"You say you are alone, and trying to take prisoners." 

"Yes; you see there are always a good many stragglers when 
an army is on the march, and we want to pick up a few. ' 'Tis as 
easy as lying,'" rejoined the soldier. 

"Then, I think you're going into enough danger for sober men, 
and I'm not going to imperil you any farther by giving you 
liquor," said Mrs. H., with motherly firmness. 

"Mrs. H., I pledge you my honor as a gentleman that I'll not 
let it 'steal my brains away,' and I think — I am sure Blaisdell 
will promise as much." 

"I will, most readily." 

"And we'll pay you well." 

"Mr. Boteler," exclaimed the lady, indignantly, "you know I 
do not object because I wish to keep the liquor. I refuse you, 
purely for your own good." 

"But you won't refuse the kind of pay we mean. How would 
two Yankees do for each canteenful ? You'd take that sort of 
remuneration, wouldn't you ?" 

"We'll say three, Joe," chimed in Old Blaze; "that will just 
be half a dozen." 

"Haifa dozen Yankee prisoners for two canteens of brandy! 
I know you can't resist the offer." 

"If you'll promise me" — began she, doubtfully. 

"Can we do more than pledge our honor? We have already 



544 Two of the Black Horse Cavalry. 

done that," returned Boteler, as she paused, doubtingly. 

So the canteens were filled with most excellent liquor, and 
the two soldiers rode away in high glee. 

"There's no going back now," exclaimed Blaisdell, exultant- 
ly, as they left the road for the woods. 

"Who wants to go back?" demanded Boteler, with some heat. 

Eiding through the woods, enabled by their exact knowledge 
of the country to dispense with such things as roads, they saw, 
through the trees, a small squad of Federal troops, less famil- 
iar with the lay of the land than they, and hence obliged to fol- 
low the highway. The plan of attack needed no discussion, 
nor was there time for it ; for any moment they might themselves 
be seen and attacked. Fortunately, they were 
" Two souls with but a single thought, 
Two hearts that beat as one," 

and putting spurs to their horses, they charged, yelling as they 
went, upon the Federals. The assailed party was taken entire 
ly by surprise, and most of them did not stop to inquire how 
many were attacking. Two, either braver or worse mounted 
than their comrades, lingered somewhat behind, only for each 
to find a revolver at his temple, and a voice in his ear demand- 
ing his surrender. Yielding to the necessity of the case, and 
never once supposing anything but that they were attacked by a 
large force, they gave themselves up, handed over their arms 
and dismounted. 

"You just wait here by the roadside until we get back," com- 
manded Boteler. "It won't do to try to escape, because the 
woods are full of our cavalry, and you'd be certain to be caught 
if you tried it." 

Which statement showed just what the young man meant when 
he told Mrs. H. that capturing stragglers was "as easy as lying." 
But the prisoners neither felt nor manifested the least doubt of 
his truthfulness, and with heavy hearts and long faces sat down 
by the roadside to await the return of their captors. The latter 
entrusted the arms and horses to the care of a citizen living near 
by, on whom they knew they could rely, and proceeded on their 
way. The liquor was not half^paid for yet. 

Through the woods they again took their course, keeping just 
near enough to the road to see without being seen. They had 
not gone far when they spied the rearguard of a cavalry force, 
leisurely wending its way along. 



Two of the Black Horse Cavalry. 545 

"They're going pretty slow. Blaze ; suppose we hurry 'em up 
a little." 

"All right. Get a little behind them, so they won't guess 
there are only two of us." 

In an instant they had begun to put the jilan into execution. 
With rapidly repeated yells, to give idea that there was a much 
larger force, they charged upon the rearguard, "hurrying them up 
a little." Two, however, fell into their hands, and were prompt- 
ly disarmed. Fortune favored them, that day, for they had not 
gone far when they descried through the trees, another Federal 
soldier, riding slowly and alone along the roadside. 

There was a hurried whispered consultation as to what had 
best be done, as a result of which Blaisdell was left in charge 
of the two prisoners, while Boteler rode alone towards the Fed- 
eral, who evidently had no suspicion that an enemy was near. 
Pleasant thoughts of bygone and future times were perhaps 
soothing the brain under the blue cap, when suddenly came the 
words : 

"Halt! Surrender, or you are a dead man." 

He instinctively made a motion towards his holsters, but his 
hand was stopped as he heard the ominous click with which the 
Confederate warned him that he could not escape. 

"Yez hev got the drrop on me, sor," he said, with a rich 
brogue, as he handed over his arms and dismounted; "it never 
intered me head that any of yous might be near." 

He was duly escorted to the point where Blaisdell was await- 
ing the return of his companion. Here a council of war took 
place. 

" I reckon we'd better go back and get the others, don't you ?" 

" Oh, they're not there." 

"What's the reason they're not ?" 

"They've been rescued, or else escaped. They didn't believe 
what you told them about the woods being full of our men." 

" Didn't they though ? What'll you bet ?" 

"Most anything. We might as well go back, though, for it's 
getting late, and we musn't get cut off." 

Back they accordingly went, and much to Blaisdell's, and per- 
haps to Boteler's, surj^rise, found the first prisoners they had 
captured patiently awaiting their return. But, as the former had 
said, it was growing late, and they ought not to risk being cut 
off from their command; besides, they had as many prisoners as 



546 Tico of the Black Horse Cavalry. 

they could attend to, perhaps more; there would be little chance 
of taking any more that night ; so, all these considerations being 
duly weighed, they decided to return. 

" Hello, Johnnie " called Blaisdell, as they met a small boy; 
"how are you?" 

" First rate, sir ; how are you ?" 

"Oh, prime. How's your undo ?" 

"He was well, the last time we heard from him. He went to 
Richmond a week ago«" 

"Yes, I heard of it. All well down at the house?" 

"Yes, sir; they're all right busy now, getting supper for 
some soldiers." 

"Soldiers? What kind ?" 

" Oh, they are Fed's Cavalry, they are. There ain't any more 
of our men around now." 

" How many are there ?" 

"How many at our house ? Three." 

" All mounted ?" 

"Yes, sir; all got good horses." 

" All right; you wait here for us, won't you ? and don't tell 
any one that you have seen us." 

"All right, sir." 

" We must have those horses, Joe." 

" But what under the sun are we to do with these five men 
while we go and get them ?" 

" Couldn't we leave them at Mrs. 's until we get through ?" 

" Yes, I reckon that would be the best thing we can do." 

Accordingly, riding up to the house of the lady mentioned, 
they asked her if she could accommodate them and their prison- 
ers with supper. 

" I shall be glad to do so, gentlemen, but you will have to keep 
a sharp lookout, I fear, Mr. A. and Mr. B. are here, and I've 
heard that they have taken the oath. I'm not sure how true 
the rumor is, but it is best to be on the safe side, so I thought I'd 
warn you in time." 

"Thank you. And can you manage to delay supper a little 

while? We wan't to go up to Sam J 's, and would like to 

have the prisoners kept until we return." 

"Certainly I can delay serving supper as long as you wish; 
but there is no one here, you know, to act as guards." 

" We'll make A. and B. do it, oath or no oath." 



Two of the Black Horse Cavalry. bAl 

The prisoners were ordered to dismount and go into the house ; 
and while Botelcr hid the horses and the arms they could not 
otherwise dispose of, Blaisdell called the two men, suspected of 
loyalty, aside. 

" Gentlemen, I can't pretend to say how true it is, but we have 
heard that you have taken the oath of allegiance to the United 
States Government ; now Mr. Bolder and I are obliged to go 
down the road apiece, and we cannot conveniently take our pris- 
oners along. Here are two loaded carbines. You will stand 
guard over those five soldiers until we return ; and if they escape, 
you will find yourselves lodged in Castle Thunder before you 
are many days older. I suppose we may rely on you?" 

The two civilians, well knowing the character of the men with 
whom they had to deal, assented to their demands; and the two 
Confederates departed to capture, if not the three cavalrymen, 
at least their horses. 

Boteler entered at the front door of the house, and was greet- 
ed with the sight of the arms which the soldiers had left in a 
corner of the hall. Blaisdell, flanking the house, entered at the 
rear, and both opened different doors of the sitting-room at the 
same moment. As the Federals saw, standing directly opposite 
in the doorway, a man in full Confederate uniform, they started 
to their feet, and sprang towards the hall for their arms, only to 
find a similar apparition confronting them there. 

"You'd better surrender without any fuss, gentlemen ; yon 
see for yourselves you are disarmed and surrounded." 

In fact there was nothing else to be done, for with strange 
carelessness, or a feeling of complete security, they had not even 
their pistols. One of them proved to be the best game they had 
3^et brought down, for he was a courier with valuable dispatches 
Hastily securing the men, arms and horses, the Confederates 
returned to relieve the two civilians whom they had posted as 
guards over the other prisoners ; and found that', alarmed by the 
threat of Castle Thunder, Xhey had not violated the promise that 
had been exacted of them. Then, with their prisoners, they set 
out for camp. Passing the house of Mrs, H., they stopped a few 
moments. 

"Here are your prisoners, Mrs. H.; eight of them. Where shall 
we put them V 

" Eight? Why, that's two more than you promised," she an- 
swered, smiling. I haven't room for so many, and besides, may- 
35 



548 



Two of the Black Horse Cavalry. 



be they'd get away. You'd better take them to camp, I reckon, 
and keep them for me. Will you be so kind ?" 

" 0, certainly. At least, we'll turn them over to Gen. Stuart, 
who is always ready to do anything for a lady. We couldn't do 
it very well ourselves." 

So they rode on to the Confederate camp ; but finding them- 
selves safely within the lines, and being very tired with the 
long day's ride, they stopped for the night, with their pris- 
oners, at a house they knew to be occupied by Southern people 




A Repast Disturbed. 

Early the next morning they were again on the road, and long 
before noon had reported to Capt. Randolph, in command of the 
Black Horse Cavalry. 

'' Take your prisoners to Gen. Stuart's headquarters," directed 
that officer. 

Stuart listened attentively to their story, his blue eye spark- 
ling with delight as they recounted the cavalier-like adven- 
tures; then, when they had concluded, he twirled his huge mous- 
tache a moment, and laughing heartily, said: 

" Well, it's the first time I ever knew liquor entitled to be put 
on the credit side." 



Two of the Black Horse Cavalry. 



549 



Such was one of the exploits of two members of the Black 
Horse Cavalry. Story after story might be told of them; but we 
have chosen this as showing the singular daring of the men, as 
well as the good fortune which so often attended their courage. 
The command did good service throughout the war; and when 
the surrender of Appomattox took place, they made every effort 
to reach Joe Johnston in North Carolina, but were stopped on 
the way by the intelligence that he, too, had surrendered his 
army. Then, the corps, which had been organized under the 
laws of the United States by an officer of the Federal Army, and 
which had, before he became a Confederate G-eneral, transferred 
its allegiance to the State of Virginia, disbanded, and the men 
returned quietly to their homes. 




^:- 



Gen. J. E. B. Stuart. 



^Chapter J.|. 



DESTKUCTION OF THE ALBEMARLE, 

Torpedoes — The Albemarle — Lieut, Cushing's Plan — The Expedition — Precau- 
tions Adopted — The Journey — Defenses of the Earn — The Attack — Confusion 
— The Launch — Disabled — Federals Captured — Lieut. Cushing's Narrow Es- 
cape — Senseless on the Shore — Hears of His Own Death — Creeping Away — 
Difficulties — The Swamp Eoad — An Astonished Darkey — A Satisfactory Re- 
port — A Prize — Floating Down the Roanoke — Perplexed Marines — A Sur- 
prise — Honor Claimed by Another Man — The Claim Disproved. 

W HEIST, during the War of 1812, Fulton and some other • 
Americans of kindred genius put forth certain inventions 
designed to disable the enemy's ships without directly giving 
battle, every one was horrified at the idea. To destroy the vessel, 
even of an enemy, in such an underhand manner, could surely 
be no better than assassination would be considered in time of 
peace. But times change, and the people with them. "What was 
dubbed an infernal machine, a diabolical contrivance, in 1812, 
became, forty years later, in the hands of the Russians, a regular- 
ly recognized engine of war; and during the War between the 
States in our own country, the torpedo was considered as per- 
missible as the musket of the sharpshooter. 

There was indeed a necessity for something of the kind, the 
science of naval architecture having progressed so far. It was 
essential that the Confederate States should not receive supplies 
from abroad or send her own products to foreign markets. The 
Southern ports, then, were blockaded by Northern vessels; 
many fights took place between the blockaders and the Confeor 
crate men-of-war; gradually the vessel became better calculated 
at once to resist injury and to inflict it ; and the waters were \ 
filled with iron-clads, rams and gunboats. 

Among all the vessels belonging to the Confederacy, there 
660 



i 



Destruction of the Albemarle. 



551 



was, perhaps, no other whose name was so well known as the 
Albemarle. Stationed for some time in the INorth Carolina 
waters, she was lying in the Eoanoke, opposite Plymouth, when, 
in the autumn of 1864, a young naval officer, Lieut. W. B. Gush- 
ing, studied out a plan for her destruction. Submitting it to the 
Eear Admiral and the Navy Department, the excellence of the 
device was at once recognized, and every effort ordered to be 
made for its execution. Lieut. Gushing had been, during the 
summer and earlier fall, in command of one of the sixteen ves- 
sels used to keep the ram blockaded in the Eoanoke; but he was 
now detached from this 
service, and sent to New 
York, to procure what- 
ever might be necessary 
for the success of his plan. 

Before the application 
of steam as a motive pow- 
er on water had become 
general, the picket duty 
of the fleet, in time of 
war, was performed by 
marines who rowed from 
one point to another, as 
their brethren on shore 
rode. This, of course, 
required considerable la- 
bor, which was, by Fulton's famous invention, rendered un- 
necessary j and the picket launch has almost universally su- 
perseded the older boat. Eesembling in size the launch of a 
large man-of-war, it is provided with a compact engine, and by 
its size is admirably calculated to elude the vigilance of the 
enemy on such an occasion as that which we are about to de- 
scribe. 

Many men were anxious to take part in the expedition, and 
the volunteers for that purpose numbered several times as many 
as could be accepted. From among these, Lieut. Gushing se- 
lected six officers and seven seamen, who were all known to him 
as well qualified for the purpose. On the night of October 26th, 
1864, they set out upon their perilous undertaking, only to give 
up the idea, for that night, in a vei-y short time. The picket 
launch ran aground, and it was only after considerable delay 




Lieut. W. B. Gushing. 



552 Destruction of the Albemarle. 

and with no small difficulty that she was again set afloat; it 
was then too late in the night to think of going onward, and 
they returned to the Monticello. 

But though the first attempt had heen thus foiled, they were 
by no means discouraged. At dusk on the following evening, 
the party was again ready to set out; hut departure was delay- 
ed until complete darkness should conceal their movements. 

His plan was to pass the enemy's pickets, come alongside the 
Albemarle, place the torpedo and explode it; then, to escape in 
the confusion and darkness. Everything was most carefully ar- 
ranged to secure complete silence, as the slightest sound might 
betray them. The usual bell-signals to the engineer were to be 
replaced by pulls at a line, one end of which was fastened 
around his leg, while the other was in the hand of Lieut. Gush- 
ing, and the system of signals by this rude telegraph was care- 
fully arranged. Another line would, when pulled, detach the 
torpedo from the launch ; a third was to enable him to explode 
it at the proper time. The engine, of course, would make too 
much noise to enable them to pass the pickets in safety, so it 
was arranged that they should row until speed became more 
necessary than silence in their retreat. 

As they descended into the little vessel the rain fell in torrents, 
while the wind mournfully spoke its prophecies of the coming 
winter. The night was pitch dark; glimmering faintly through 
the thick blackness, they could just discern the lights along the 
shore of the narrow stream, as, with muffled oars, they rowed 
towards Plymouth. It required careful steering to avoid being 
seen from the shore, for the river was well-guarded by the ene- 
my; but, thanks to the Egyptian darkness which surrounded 
thera, they eluded the observation of the numerous pickets 
stationed on both sides of the stream, and passed safely under 
the very walls of the forts that frowned above its current. They 
passed within twenty yards of a Confederate picket-launch, but 
so completely successful were their precautions, that their pres- 
ence was not suspected. 

They had hitherto kept near that bank of the river on which 
the town is situated; but having safely passed this marine picket- 
post, they changed their course and rowed directly across the 
river. They were now directly opposite Plymouth. Rowing 
still farther up the river, they recrossed and descended the 
stream, so as to come upon the ram from above the town. As they 



Destruction of the Albemarle, 663 

swept towards it, they could see clearly the situation of the ves- 
sel and its defenses. The rain had stopped by this time, and al- 
though the sky was starless, the air was clearer; so that any ar- 
tificial light was more distinctly seen. The huge camp-fire that 
b'azed on the shore near the point where the Albemarle lay, 
showed that it was moored to a wharf, and surrounded by a boom, 
of pine logs, about twenty feet from the vessel. The light of the 
blaze also made visible the presence of a large body of infantry, 
whose fire would perhaps be upon them. 

The presence of the boom, although not entirely unforeseen, 
yet complicated matters considerably. Such a structure was in- 
tended especially to thwart such enterprises as the present, by 
preventing the approach of a torpedo unnoticed. In modern 
naval warfare such engines of destruction are often sent off from 
a considerable distance, and exj^loded by means of a Avire com- 
municating with an electric battery ; so that a defense of some 
kind, usually a net-work of strong wire, is necessary. 

They were close upon this outer defense of the ram when they 
were perceived by the watch on board, 

<<What boat is that?" came the challenge. 

"The Albemarle's boat," was the answer, as the launch struck 
full against the logs, crushing them at least ten feet in. 

But the action was hardly suited to the word, and in an in- 
stant, as it seemed to them, there poured upon them, from the 
infantry on shore, a shower of bullets. Quick and sharp were 
the voices of the Confederate officers on board the Albemarle, 
as the orders issued from their lips. Each man sprang to his 
post, and in an instant the ports were opened, and a gun train- 
ed upon the mysterious assailant. 

Hastily detaching the torpedo from the launch, Lieut. Gushing 
directed the course of the boom so that in a moment's time it 
would be beneath the Confederate vessel, and as with one hand he 
touched off the howitzer, with the other he pulled the line which 
exploded the torpedo. But at the very instant that this was 
done, a musket-ball from the shore struck his right arm, and 
a shell from the doomed ram burst above the heads of the Fed- 
erals and descended among them. 

No words can do justice to the wild confusion of the scene; 
for words at best are but slow and poor describers of the actual. 
That which takes us several minutes in the telling, did not oc- 
cupy as many seconds. The report of the howitzer on the Fed- 



554 



Destruction of the Albemarle. 



eral launch, the rattle of the musketry on shore, the boom of 
the Albemarle's gun, the shrieking of the shell, the hissing of 
the shot, the whistling of the bullets, the explosion of the tor- 
pedo — all these sounds came with such terrible rapidity that 
there was no succession of noises — it was one loud, discordant 
crash, one single salute to the terrible god of war. 

As the glare of the exploding torpedo lit up the water with a 
ghastly glow, it showed the Federal launch shattered into a 




JJcHti'uciion of the Albcimi tie. 

thousand fragments by the descent of the shell. The force of 
the explosion had rent asunder the pine logs composing the 
boom, and the handful of men that had formed the crew of the 
launch were struggling to escape from more than one danger. 
Threatened with death by the musket-balls from the shore, they 
must keep afloat in the icy water; weighed down by theij- 
heavy clothes, and with every limb benumbed by cold, they 
must avoid the masses of logs which, detached from their places 
in the circle of defense, are being borne onward by the swift 
current, and whirled around in the troubled waters where thf 
launch has sunk. 

Throwing off their coats and shoes when they saw that each 
must shift for himself, Gushing and his men had learK^d irto the 



Destruction of the Albemarle. 555 

water just as the shell burst above their heads. They had some 
diflScuIty in escaping from the whirlpool made by the sinking 
of the heavier parts of the launch, but struck out for the oppo- 
site shore. Many of the Confederates wore busy about the ram, 
assisting their comrades in saving as much as possible of her ac- 
coutrements. But there were others not so employed, and these 
took aim at the Federals in the water, struggling to escape so 
many dangers. 

But humanity forbade this, and the fire from the shore soon 
ceased. Boats were sent out, and ten of the Federals, unable to 
surmount such a combination of difficulties, surrendered them- 
selves. Two had already drowned or been shot; one swam the 
river, and after lying concealed in the neighboring marshes for 
two days, without food, shelter, or any means of drying his 
dripping clothes, succeeded in reaching a place of safety. It re- 
mains for us to detail the fate of the commander. 

Leaping from the launch as soon as he had performed his self- 
imposed task, he struck out for the opposite bank. But their 
course was plainly seen by the riflemen on shore, and the plash- 
ing of bullets in the water around him warned himthatthis was 
an impracticable plan. Turning down stream, then, he made the 
best time possible under the circumstances; but it must be re- 
membered that if the others had to contend with numbness of 
limbs in the icy stream, with the weight of their heavy uniforms, 
dripping with water, with the logs and fragments of the Avreok 
that strewed the river far and wide, with the necessity of avoid- 
ing the Confederate bullets, he had all these obstacles to over- 
Kjome with a single arm, his right wrist having been so badly 
.Younded as to make it unfit to be used. 

He swam down stream for nearly an hour. But though the 
will be strong, nature bends it to her necessities as she snaps 
the steel rail or fblls the oak. In spite of his determination to 
escape, he became so exhausted that he could no longer keep 
afloat, and he struck out for the shore. So entirely had be been 
sustained by sheer resolution that the moment that his feet 
touched the solid ground once more, and he no longer felt that 
exertion was necessary to prevent immediate death, he fell 
senseless to the earth. Fortunately, he had landed where some 
low bushes clothed the edges of the stream, and his prostrate, 
unconscious form was thus shielded from the view of any ene^ 
my who might chance to pass. 



556 Destruction of the Albemarle. 

How long he lay in this condition he never knew certainly, 
but the time of starting and that employed in the journey, con- 
sumed by the startling events of the night, and that which 
elapsed before dawn, showed that he must have been insensible 
for some time. Revived at last by the cold air of the October 
night, he heard the sound of far-off voices as he hovered just on 
the boundary between the swoon and the return of conscious- 
ness ; gradually they drew nearer and nearer ; and feeling rather 
than thinking that they might have been close by all the time, 
he roused himself with a powerful effort, just in time to distin- 
guish the words : 

*'Who planned it?" 

''Lieut. Gushing, who has been in command of the Monticello 
all the summer and fall." 

"And did he accompany them?" 

"O, yes; he seems to have planned it and worked it out him- 
self. His men, it appears, were not intrusted with anything he 
could do himself. They had one gun on board, and he touched 
that off, detached the torpedo and exploded it. So they say, at 
least." 

''Then he wasn't captured ?" 

"No, he was one of the four that were killed. His men say 
a bullet struck him just before the shell exploded, and he must 
have been shot again or else that first wound made him too weak 
to swim. Anyhow, he was killed." 

"Couldn't he have escaped ?" 

*'0, no; in five minutes the river was covered with our boats. 
It was utterly impossible for any one, let alone a wounded man, 
to escape." 

This conversation was of course highly gratifying to the hear- 
er for whose ears it was not intended, as proving to him that, 
unless he should betray himself, there was no pursuit to be fear- 
ed. Sometimes, it is a fortunate thing for a man if he can make 
his enemies believe him dead. Listening a little longer, for he 
dared not move, for fear of attracting their attention, he found 
that one of the speakers was a sentry, while the other two were 
officers. Waiting until the latter had taken their departure, he 
edged himself slowly and silently towards the river again. But 
a glance revealed that it would be dangerous to try to escape by 
that road, as every one, wakened by the excitement from any 
temporary carelessness, was now on the alert. 



Destruction of the Albemarle. 



557 



He changed his course, then, though not his mode of proceed- 
ing. It "was dangerous to raise himself, however slightly, above 
the surface J and the only Avay he had of getting over the ground 
was by working with his heels upon the earth, and thus dragging 
himself along on his back. In this manner he had approached 
the river from the bushes, and in this manner he retreated from 
the banks of the stream to a denser thicket, a little farther from 
the water's edge. 

The place of con- 
cealment was not 
reached a moment too 
soon, for it was near- 
ly dawn when he se- 
creted himself in the 
bushes. All during 
the long, long hours 
c>f the day he lay 
^bere, scarcely daring 
to breathe deepl}-, 
lest he betray his 
presence to some one 
of the many who 
were continually 
passing. The hope of 
escape was food and 
drink and warmth to 
him as he waited im- 
patiently for the ap- 




A Concealed Listener. 



^oroach of the friendly darkness. At last, the night came, and ris- 
ing to his feet he gained a swamp near by the thicket. 

His limbs were numbed by the cold, and cramped by lying so 
long in one position ; his wrist was exceedingly painful, for the 
exposure to cold and the lack of attention had caused consider- 
able inflammation ; but exercise soon restored the circulation 
which had been partially stopped, and he felt that pain was 
nothing to imprisonment — that it were better to sacrifice his 
right arm than his liberty. The only passable ground in the 
swamp was an old road, which, to judge from the briars that 
flung their thorny arms from side to side, had not been used for 
many years; but in the time that it had been used, some one had 
strewn it with oyster-shells, as a sort of rude macadam. This 



558 Destruction of the Albemarle. 

paving lacerated his shoeless feet, "while his hands were torn by 
the briars that must be put aside befofe he could pass. 

Many times he was obliged to rest an hour or so before he 
could proceed; and would sink down, exhausted, upon the road^ 
only to rise with renewed energy as the report of a distant gun 
warned him that he was still in the enemy's country. He was 
in a pitiable condition when he emerged from the swamp on the 
following day; hatless, coatless, shoeless, wnth feet and hands 
torn and bleeding, suffering intense pain from his wounded arm, 
and having been without food for thirty-six hours. He had 
hardly gained terra firma once more before he met an old negro 
man. 

" Good morning," he said, in as cheerful a tone as he could 
command. 

"Good laws a massy, sah, who is you ?" asked the darkey 
starting back in affright. 

" I am a Yankee soldier," was the reply, " and one of the men 
that blew up the Albemarle." 

" O, my Lawd ! Is 5''ou one ob de men what got killed ? Doy 
done cotched all de rest." 

" They thought I was killed, but I got away. Can I trust you 
to go to town and bring me back the news. See, I will pay you 
well." 

"You kin jest trust dis nigger to fin' out eberyting what's 
goin' on, sah. "What is it you pertikerlarly wants to know?" 

"I want you to find out just what has become of the Albe- 
marle" — 

" Law Massa, she done blowed up clean, I heered." 

" Find out exactly what has become of her; what the soldiers 
are doing, and whether they are going to leave the town." 

"Isdatall?" 

"Yes, that will be enough," replied the soldier, as he thought 
of the amount and importance of the information he had asked 
for. 

The darkey departed on his errand, jubilant at the prospect of 
earning so much money so easily ; and the ofiicer, the better to 
provide for defense, secreted himself in the branches of a large 
tree not yet divested of its brown foliage, and opened his pocket- 
knife, the nearest approach to a weapon which he possessed. 
Here he waited for some time, peering anxiously through the 
rustjing leaves in order to discern the approach of friend or 



Destruction of the Albemarle. 



559 



foe as soon as possible. At last he descried his sable messenger 
shambling along the road, and hastily descended from his perch. 

'' I done tol' you, Massa, de Albemahl clean blowed up. Dah 
war a hole in her side big enough fo' a boss to walk through, 
and she jest settled down into de water right off. Iseendewha'f 
whar she used to be." 

"And the soldiers?" 

" Didn't see none, sah ; dey all skedaddled, I reckon — ki, hi — 




Meeting the Darkey. 

ebery one of dem, soon as dat 'ar ole ram got busted" 
" Are you sure there were no soldiers in town ?" 
" Didn't see none, sah ; and de Secesh people dey's all packin' 
up fas' 's dey kin." 

This was all the information that he could get out of the dar- 
key, but it was sufficient, if reliable. The Albemarle had sunk; 
the object of the expedition had been accomplished j the town 
had been evacuated by the Confederates, when they no longer 
had the ram to defend them on the river side. But he knew that 
the Southern troops were still stationed on the other side of the 
river; hence his movements must be extremely cautious. 

Going further down the stream by a road that ran parallel to 
the bank, though at some distance from it, he saw on the oppos- 
ite side a picket boat, moored to a stake. This was indeed a prize. 



560 Destruction of the Albemarle, 

Plunging once more into fhe icy stream, he swam across, and 
finding no sentinel within hearing, cut, with his pocket-knife, 
the rope which tied the boat. But he dared not get into the lit- 
tle craft, for fear of attracting attention from the shore. Towing 
it well into the current, then, he simply allowed it to float down 
the stream, while he swam after it. At last, however, he thought 
he was fairly beyond the Confederate lines; and getting into 
the boat, paddled for eight hours. 

It was a weary journey before the black hulls of the vessels 
composing the Federal squadron greeted his eyes, and his 
strength was nearly exhausted. Summoning up all his powers 
for one last effort — a tremendous one for his present weakened 
condition — he hailed his own vessel. The officer in command 
was somewhat distrustful, as were his subordinates ; it was some 
daring Eebel trick, they could not tell exactly what; but before 
they had decided, the one man had fallen at full length in th« 
bottom of his boat. Nothing could be feared from a faint 
ing foe, unless this should be a part of the ruse; but at any 
rate, a boat was dispatched to bring him on board the Monticel- 
lo. What was the surprise of the sailors who manned the launch 
to find it was their own commander! The iron will which had 
sustained him since his departure failed him, when no longer 
necessary, at his return ; and completely worn out by the forty- 
eight hours' exposure to danger and to cold, hy the suffering en- 
tailed by his wound and by the privations he had endured, he 
had fallen fainting at the very haven of safety. 

His exploit opened tho Eoanoke to the Federal vessels, and 
all the Waters of North Carolina were cleared of the Confeder- 
ates. The fleet which had been detailed for the sole purpose of 
watching the Albemarle was now free for other duty, to which 
the vessels were speedily assigned. The whole expedition was 
planned by the one man, who took so large a share in carrying 
out his own idea. 

Note.— Prom a recent newspaper we clip the following, which 
goes to show how honors may be claimed by others when they 
have long been accredited to the proper wearers : 

"■Washington, Mar. 23d, 1883. 
*'Dan!el G, George, taving pu"blicly advertised tbat he exploded the torpedo which 
sank the Confederate Ram Albemarle, the Navy Department, at the request of Pay 
master Francis H. Swan, has given the official report of the late Commander Cush- 



Destruction of the Albemarle. 561 

ing of the destruction of the Albemarle, and an extract from his sworn testimony 
given in Washington in 1873." [The preceding account is made up of the oflScial 
reports and some Confederate and Northern contemporaneous accounts.] "Pay- 
master Swan indorses the above documents as containing a correct and admirable 
account of the destruction of the Albemarle, as does also Charles L. Steever, the 
surviving eng^eer of the picket launch." 



j^ HAPTEN 1.11. 



CONFEDERATES IN SHERIDAN'S CAMP. 

Necessity for Information — The Party — "One of Blazer's Scouts" — A Sleepy 
Picket — The End Accomplished — Another Trip — Confederate Votes for Lin- 
coln — Issuing Orders to a Federal Officer — Blazer's Scouts in Eeality — A 
Hot Pursuit — Taking the Fence — Back to His Men — A Desperate Skir- 
mish — After Events. 

A NOTED Confederate partisan officer was Col. Harry Gil- 
mor, aMarylander; who, enlisting in Ashby's command 
in September, 1861, rose from the ranks until he obtained the 
commission which gave him the title generally attached to his 
name. In the experiences of such a man, there must be many a 
tale of stirring adventure such as, safe by the fireside, the veter- 
an loves to recount. Every month has its own record, and 
none is without interest. Erom the multitude of adventures we 
select the one which appears best adapted to make an interest- 
ing chapter. 

About the middle of October, 1864, there was much uncertain- 
ty in the Confederate councils regarding the real strength of the 
forces under Gen. Sheridan; as it was confidently believed by 
many that that general had sent a large portion of his troops to 
the assistance of Gen. Grant. But this report would no sooner 
be confirmed by one of the most reliable scouts, than another, 
equally trustworthy, would flatly contradict it. At the earnest 
request of Gen. Early, then, who wished to have positive and 
exact information, Major Gilmer (as he was at that time) under- 
took to penetrate into Sheridan's camp, and bring back the do 
sired knowledge. The difficulty of the undertaking was much 
enhanced by the fact that he had, some time before, received a 
severe wound, from which he had not yet fully recovered. 
5r,2 



Confederates in /Sheridan's Camp. 563 

He selected only one of his men to accompany him, but found 
five or six more at his first stopping place, where they had been 
stationed to annoy the enemy, by occasional dashes upon mes- 
sengers and guards. These begged so hard to be allowed to ac- 
company their leader, that he finally gave them the desired per- 
mission, and the seven men rode onward. Their progress was 
slow, for the officer's wound was troublesome; and it was not 
until the night of the second day that they crossed the Potomac, 
and took to the Valley Pike, 

They were now so near the Federal lines that the whole 
country was filled with small scouting and foraging parties. Al- 
though the Confederates had come merely for the purpose of ob- 
taining information, and it was highly essential that they should 
"depart in peace," they could not resist the temptation to have a 
little "fun," when such scouting parties did not number more 
than fifteen men. Major Gilmor and his men were all in full 
gray uniform, but as the weather was extremely wet, each wore 
a large oil-cloth poncho, which completely hid his Confederate 
insignia from sight. 

As it chanced, they had not gone very far before they came in 
sight of a squad of cavalry, returning from a scout. Secure in 
the feeling that there were no Eebels near, there was no attempt 
made to protect the rear. The little group of Confederates saw 
this, and laid their plans carefully. In pursuance of the plot, 
they rode forward rapidlj^, yet so cautiously that they were not 
seen by the Federals, while one of the gray-coats, E , push- 
ed on until he was alongside the officer. Eeeling slightly in his 
saddle, he produced his canteen and oflTered it with tipsy grav- 
ity : 

"Have a drink, sir? First-class (hie) whisky." 

"Go back to your place in the ranks at once," commanded the 
officer, sternly ; somewhat angered by the impudence of the man. 

"Beg pardon, sir, but (hie) I don't belong to this command. 
I'm (hie) one of Blazer's scouts, just returning from some (hie) 
first-rate fun with the Eebs. Take a drink, sir." 

Thus assured that the half drunken fellow beside him was not 
one of his own men, the officer readily took a drink with him. 
It was most excellent whisky. 

"Got a lot of it just back (hie) here, sir; just drop back and 
take all you like." 

The temptation was too strong. The officer "dropped back;" 
36 



564 



Confederates in Sheridan's Camp. 



but, as he again elevated the proffered canteen, his new com- 
panion suddenly became sober, and the muzzle of a pistol was 
pushed in his face. 

"Your life's not worth a red cent if you make any noise," was 
the warning given him, in a low, determined tone, that contrast- 
ed strangely with that same voice as he had heard it a few mo- 
ments ago. Thus admonished, what could he do but surrender? 
But this Federal did not have an opportunity to get lonesome; 




Beguiled by Whisky. 
for before many hours had passed, twelve others had been cap- 
tured in a similar manner. The prisoners were then sent off to a 
place of security, in charge of the five men who had been added 
to the force after starting; while Maj. Gilmor and his original 
companion, S , concealed themselves in a thicket. This af- 
forded them opportunity for sleeping, each for a time while the 
other kept guard ; here they could discuss the contents of their 
haversacks ; and from this point they could command a fair view 
of the enemy's camp. 

But this was too far off for them to see as distinctly as they 
wished ; it was a case in which distance did not lend enchantment 
to the view ; and at sunrise the next morning, they put on the 
blue overcoats which they had strapped to their saddles, and 



Confederates in Sheridan's Camp. 565 

prepared to descend from tlie eminence crowned by the thicket. 
They had not gone far before they were halted by a picket with 
the usual challenge. 

"Friends without the countersign," was the reply; ''we were 
captured last night, with some others ; but we escaped and got 
hold of a couple of horses." 

The picket was very sleepy; besides, they had on blue over- 
coats; they were undoubtedly officers, and their story must be 
true. So, smothering a yawn, out of respect for the presence 
of his superiors, he bade them pass on ; and then roused himself 
far enough to look around him for signs that he would soon be 
relieved from duty. Meanwhile, the two Confederates were 
about to pass on, when he suddenly bethought himself that he 
was passing them too readily. They might cause him to be rep- 
rimanded for his carelessness. 

^'Hold on there a minute — I beg pardon, gentlemen, but what 
did you say your regiment was ?" 

"Twenty-first ISTew York Cavalry," answered Major Gilmor, 
readily. 

"All right, sir; pass on." 

They passed the inside picket lines by the same story; and 
were then tolorably safe, unless recognized. But although both, 
especially the officer, were widely known throughout the valley, 
they were fortunate enough to escape betrayal by even a chance 
recognition. They walked leisurely aboutwithin a hundred yards 
of Gen. Sheridan's headquarters, and ascertained that not a man 
had been sent to Gen. Grant. Then, having accomplished the 
end for which they were sent, they were ready to return to 
the Confederate lines ; or at least to the neutral ground of the 
mountains, where their five comrades were awaiting them, hav- 
ing disposed of the thirteen prisoners. 

Here, the state of Major Gilmor's wound necessitated a farther 
rest of a day or two ; and when that had been done, he determined 
to return and make another reconnoissance of the camp. Fordur. 
ing the time that he had been engaged in +his expedition. Gen. 
Early had fallen back so that it would be difficult ( o reach him • 
while Major Gilmor's knowledge of afi'airs in the Confederate 
camp was such that he felt assured that this movement of Early's 
was only the prelude to an advance ; when recent information in 
regard to the enemy's c^-mp would be of the greatest service. He 
accordingly determined to make another trip, in order 1*^ secure. 



506 Confederates in Sheridan's Camp. 

not only later, but additional information. Having rested a day 
or two, then, they again pushed on into the very heart of the 
enemy's country. 

They had not gone far before they overtook four men, riding 
leisurely along. All were clad in blue overcoats, as were the 
men of Maj. Gilmor's command. A little conversation ensued, in 
which the parties mutually introduced themselves as some of 
Blazer's scouts and members of Torbert's cavalry. 

'' Out on a scout?" asked one of Gilmor's men. 

" O, no," replied the Blazer, " we're just going to vote ; going 
to vote for the next president, you can bet your bottom dollar." 

''For the next president ?" said Maj. Grilmor, "I suppose you 
don't want any change ?" 

"The man that's carried the country through so far is good 
enough to finish the job, sir." 

*'I suppose he will be elected by a large majority. He will 
have the votes of the soldiers, especially." 

"Yes, he will; Little Mac used to be mighty popular when ho 
first took command, but he ain't nowhere now ; you see, people 
have come to realize that a Democrat ain't much better than a 
d d Eebel." 

The unsuspicious Lincolnites suddenl}- found themselves call- 
ed upon to surrender; the muzzle of a revolver in each one's 
face, and the low, stern tones of "Torbert's men" in each one's 
ear. The four prisoners were sent to the rear bj^ three of the 
men, while Major Gilmor, with the remaining three, took pos- 
session of their papers and election tickets, and rode boldly into 
Sheridan's camp. The votes of four sworn soldiers of the Con- 
federacy went to swell Lincoln's popular majority of four hun- 
dred thousand. Of course, after having cast their votes for the 
Eepublican candidate, their politics were not questioned ; and 
they went where they would in the camp, obtaining much in- 
valuable information. 

But they were not only to vote for the President of the United 
States — Major Gilmor was to issue orders, as a superior, to an 
oflScer in the United States Army. It happened in this wise : 
Riding into Shepherdstown, to investigate the rumors regarding 
some outrages committed by the "Jessie scouts," and to avenge 
them if any of that corps could be found, Major Gilmor found 
satisfactory evidence that the depredations had really been con.- 
mitted, but could not find any trace of the perpetrators. Thus 



J 



Confederates in Sheridan's Camp. 587 

foiled in his object, he went to call on some lady friends living 
on one of the principal streets; for the Major's gallantry was like 
a good rule, it worked both ways. As he stood at the gate, 
talking to them, squads of Federal soldiers were constantly pass- 
ing and repassing. 

"Major, you'll be captured again, I'm sure," exclaimed one of 
the ladies, when, after several such groups had passed, she could 
no longer conceal her anxiety. 

"O, there's not the slightest danger," he answered, with a 
laugh, "If there was, I wouldn't risk it, for I didn't find Fort 
McHenry so pleasant a place, though it is so near home." 

"The idea of your not risking danger! After what we've 
heard of you, that sounds too ridiculous. Why do you carry 
your arm in a sling, if you go on that principle ?" 

"O, it's a plan that I've only recently adopted, you see. But 
just let me show 5'^ou how groundless your fears are." 

There was a small squad of Federals a few feet from him at 
the moment he spoke ; and as they approached, he halted them. 
The officer, completely deceived by the blue overcoat and by the 
authoritative manner of the wearer, saluted Major Grilmor as a 
superior officer. 

"G-o to the guard-house," directed the disguised Confederate, 
"and tell the officer in charge there to send a squad of men to 

's drinking saloon on • St., to arrest some men who 

are creating a disturbance there." 

The Federal, with due respect, undertook to execute the or- 
der. He delivered the message to the officer in charge at the 
guard-house, and the squad was sent to the place indicated ; but, 
strange to say, the men to be arrested were not there, nor had 
there been any disturbance, if the proprietor and his employes 
might be believed. Setting down the disclaimers of these as the 
testimony of interested parties, but unable to trace the matter 
farther, the soldiers returned to the guard-house and duly re- 
ported the result of their errand. Such things were of course 
of almost daily occurrence, and no one thought of suspecting the 
officer who had sent the message. 

But the Confederates could not always remain in Shepherds- 
town, and be entirely secure. Indeed, Major Gilmor's call on 
his fair friends had been simply for the purpose of taking leave; 
and had the Federals sought him as soon as it was discovered 
that there had been no such disturbance in the saloon mentioned, 



568 Confederates in Sheridan's Camp. 

they would not have found him in town. Beating a retreat to- 
wards the Blue Eidge with, his men, they were riding leisurely 
through a belt of woods, early on the morning of Nov. 11th, 
when they suddenly came upon the body of men famous as '' Blaz- 
er's Scouts" — sixty soldiers, picked from many different regiv 
ments, and mounted on the fleetest and best of horses, expressly 
to waylay small bodies of Confederates, Gilmor's force num- 
bered but five, so that it was useless to think of resistance; 
that might Uave been tried with any other men, but he knew 
these of old, and dared not risk it. Well it was that he so de- 
cided, for they had been lying in ambush for some of Mosby's 
men, whom they had nearly given up, and were just spoiling for 
a 5ght. 

Setting spurs to their horses, then, as soon as they saw what 
a hornet's nest they had run into, the Confederates galloped 
away as fast as they could ; knowing that if the speed of their 
horses could not save them, nothing else could. Fortunately, 
they were excellently mounted. They had fired one shot each 
before they beat such a rapid retreat, but onl}^ two had taken 
effect; there was no time, now, even to take aim. They first 
dashed into a dense thicket, hoping that they might be able to 
escape in that way ; but the pursuers were after them so closely 
thatthey had no opportunity of doing so. Over the roughest coun- 
try that they could think of as existing in the neighborhood, the 
Confederates led the way, hoping to wear out the animals on 
which the Federals were mounted. This plan was more successful 
than the preceding one, for one by one the scouts fell behind, un- 
til there were but five in close pursuit. 

Knowing of a private ford of which he felt certain that his 
pursuers were ignorant. Major Gilmor led the way toward it. 
But their path was blocked by a high stake fence. If they could 
but jump it, they would be safe; but if they must stop to take 
it down, the whole command would be upon them before they 
got through. A good horse seems almost to know, by the touch 
of his rider's hand, what is passing in that rider's mind ; and to 
this instinct was now added that emulation which possesses an- 
imals as it does men. Major Gilmor's horse was as anxious to 
leap that fence as his rider was to have him, and took it in fine 
style. Not so with those that his men bestrode; they obstinate- 
ly refused to attempt it. 

*'Well, boys, if one of you that can use both hands better than 



670 



Confederates in Sheridan's Camp. 




I 



Confederates in Sheridan's Camp. 571 

I can, will tear down the fence, I'll come back and help fight off 
those Feds. Come, Bill, try it again, old fellow.'' 

The horse obeyed his master's words and hand, and made a 
second gallant effort to leap the fence. But either the run had 
not been long enough, or the long race had exhausted his 
strength; whichever it was, he failed to clear it as at first; just 
touching the top rail with his knee, he fell a dead weight to the 
earth, crushing his rider beneath him. The sight was madden- 
ing to the Confederates. The young officer, whose soldierly 
ability had raised him from the ranks, was all but idolized by 
his men; and believing he had been killed in the effort to rejoin 
them, when he might have escaped, they fought with terrible 
energy. Fortunately for them, the main body of Blazer's men 
had given up the pursuit, and were far in the rear — too far to 
give any assistance to the five who were now approaching the 
resolute Rebs. 

Though the Federals were men selected, for their courage and 
dogged determination to fight, from nearly half a hundred regi- 
ments, they were confronted by men selected, in a similar man- 
ner, from the Confederate Army ; the numbers of the two par- 
ties were exactly equal; there was but one thing to turn the 
fortunes of the day — the motive for fighting. In this, indeed, 
the Southerners had the advantage, and after a short fight, the 
blue-coats, seeing that nothing was to be gained, sullenly re- 
treated to the main force. Thus left masters of the field, the 
Confederates got the seemingly lifeless body of their leader 
across his horse, which had not been injured by the fall; and 
thus conveyed him to a house near by, where they knew they 
could find the necessary assistance. There he became conscious 
again, and though unfit for service for sometime after, he was 
able to mount and ride towards Newtown when, the next day, 
it became certain that Early was advancing in that direction. 
Some difficulty was experienced in getting through the enemy's 
lines, but the task was at last successfully accomplished ; and the 
Confederate general was put in possession of certain and trust- 
worthy information regarding the Federal general's strength 
and intentions. 

Major Gilmor was, shortly after this, given the command of 
Woodson's and McNeill's Rangers, in addition to his own battal- 
ion; and a commission as colonel. But he never went into ac- 
tive service with his new rank, as the weather was, for the great- 



572 



Confederates in Sheridan's Camp. 



er part of the winter, too cold for the raids and scouting expe- 
ditions in which he delighted; and he was captured early in the 
succeeding February. It was while he was a prisoner of war 
that a portion of his command, under Lieut. McNeill, performed 
the daring exploit elsewhere narrated. The fall from his horse, 
in this adventure, may perhaps be called the cause of his death ; 
for it re-opened the wound, a second re-opening of which result- 
ed fatally as late as February, 1883. 



fiHAPTEF^ nil 



AN ESCAPE FROM A TRAIK. 

The Eoad — Eeraoval of Prisoners — Carelessness of Guards — Heavy Rain — Es- 
cape — Escape Discovered — Pursued — Baffling the Bloodhounds — The 
Swamp — A Great Loss — Helped by the Negroes — A Scare — An Unexpected 
Friend — Reinforcements — Hope Deferred — A Surprise — A Battle — Flight — 
Alone and Hopeless — Friends — Counting the Loss — Safe. 

IT was an October night in the year 1864 ; the great clouds had 
gathered over the sky, completely hiding the feeble rays of 
the new moon; dark and vast stretched away the woods on eith- 
er side of the railway track ; who could tell what was hidden in 
those recesses shaded from even noonday light by the thick, 
glossy leaves that never fell, even in the winter-time ? Yet even 
in the very midst of this Southern forest the story of progress 
had been written in lines of iron ; and along those lines and above 
them, there now advanced a monster with a flaming eye and a 
thuudering tread. Onward it came through the darkness, rolling 
nearer and nearer every moment to the great tank by the road- 
side. As it approached, it slackened speed, for the mighty crea- 
ture was thirsty. In plain English, there was a train coming, 
and this was a wood and water station. 

It was the road between Columbia and Charleston, S. C, of 
which we write; and the time was a night about the middle of 
October, 1864. The train was almost filled with prisoners of 
war and the necessary guards; for the advance of the Federal 
forces had obliged the Confederate Government to remove these 
prisoners to a more secure place of confinement. Traveling 
through the very heart of the Confederacy, it was not thought 
necessary to provide a very strong guard; indeed, not many 
men could be spared for the purpose, for the strength of the 

573 



574 An Escape from a Train. 

South was failing fast. As it turned out, the guard was really 
too small for the purpose. 

The train stopped at the water station, and the sleepy guards 
had wakened up and looked sharply about them. There were so 
few of them that all their vigilance was needed for the inside of 
the cars, and they had not seen, some time before this, that four 
of their prisoners had slipped out. Doing this at any time when 
the train was dashing along at full speed, would have been sim- 
ply suicide. As the train slackened speed, however, these four 
men sprang from the platform to the ground ; sinking almost 
knee-deep into the soft, damp earth, that deadened the sound 
which might otherwise have betrayed them. The rain fell in 
torrents; it was a night on which no man would willingly be 
abroad, save those in whom a desire for liberty was stronger 
than the love of comfort. 

Not a word dared they utter, as they plunged into the heavy 
woods that skirted the road ; although the darkness was so thick 
that each could hardly discern the forms of the others. At last, 
however, they got to cover, and haviiig heard no signs of pursuit, 
they spoke in whispers to each other. As may be supposed, 
they wore Federal soldiers, and had been in prison, members of 
one mess. Gen. J. Madison Drake Avas the officer of highestrank. 
the others being Major Davis and Captains Todd and Grant. 
Day after day they had studied over some plan for escape, 
and when they found that they were to be removed by rail 
to another prison, had determined to make this trial. Their 
plan had been favored by the weather, for on a clearer night 
they might have been seen by some one from the train. 

But even as they were just whispering their congratulations 
and joy at success to one another, crouched on the soft oozy 
ground in the midst of a laurel thicket, a dreadful sound broke 
the silence of the night. As they listened, came that which 
they so much feared to hear — the voices of men, and worse still, 
the deep-mouthed bay of a bloodhound. It was evident that 
their escape had already been discovered, and that the baffled 
guards were on their track. But to move could do no good, for 
they might run into the very arms of their pursuers. They lay 
still in the laurels, then, trusting that the hounds would be puz- 
zled by an artifice to which they had had recourse. 

As we have intimated, the plan of escape had been settled as 
soon as they knew that they were to be removed ; and every 



All Escape from a Train. 575 

preparation had been made which the rules of the prison and 
the vigilance of their keepers would allow. Among other pre- 
cautions, they had rubbed the soles of their shoes with onions, 
and laid slices of the odorous vegetable inside. The heat of 
the foot of course brought out the perfume in full force, and this 
was the scent that lay along the path over which they had fled. 
As they had hoped, the hounds were at fault, baffled by this pe- 
culiar scent, which their instinct did not prompt them to follow. 
The sound heard in the bushes was no longer the full yelp that 
shows they are in pursuit of an easily traced prey ; it became, 
by degrees, the short snarl by which they indicate their disap- 
pointment and failure. Gradually the pursuers gave up the 
chase, and the jDursued were left to the silence of the forest and 
the night. 

When the sounds died away, and the stillness brought them a 
sense of security, they moved onward through the swampy 
woods. They sank knee deep, at every step, in water or slimy 
black mud, and walking was, of course, exceedingly tiresome. 
But they had not thought to escape without undergoing many 
hardships, and they pressed resolutely on. Halting at morning 
to rest during the day (for they thought it would be unsafe to 
move onward exceptundercover of darkness), they could actual- 
ly find no place on which they could rest their wearied limbs. To 
sleep on the frozen ground, with a blanket for bed and cover- 
ing, a knapsack for a pillow — that would have been solid comfort 
to the worn-out men who stood in the swamp, leaning against 
the bushes, and slept through the rainy hours of that October 
day. 

One must of course stand guard while the others slept, lest the 
enemy come upon them unawares. But even when this was 
taken into account, they slept but a few hours. Their blood was 
so fevered with the desire of liberty that they could not rest un- 
til that end was attained. The latter part of the afternoon was 
occupied in fashioning rude clubs from the cypress of the 
swamp; for arms, of course, had been unobtainable; yet they 
must have weajDons of some kind. Armed in this primitive fash- 
ion, then, they set out on their second night's journey; their 
way lighted, for several hours, by the faint and watery beams 
of the new moon. 

Whether the Confederates suspected their purpose to lie by 
during the day and travel only by night, or had kept up the 



576 



An Escape from a Train. 



hunt all day, they of course, had no means of knowing. But 
though the noises indicating pursuit had not been heard since 
they died away on the first night, they were now perceived 
again. It is well known that water hides the trail; and our fu- 







Hojneivard Bound. 
gitives sought out small streams, that, by wading, they might 
cause the hounds to lose the scent. This practice was success- 
ful; and when, at daylight, they halted for food and rest, the 
hounds had not been heard for hours. A march of twenty miles 
was r.ccomplished that night. 

Their hast© was too great to allow of long halts, and being 



An Escape from a Train. 577 

now some distance from the point of escape, they judged that 
some part of the day might be used for their journey. Accord- 
ingly, they traveled through the thick cypress swamps during 
the day, and under cover of darkness crossed whatever open 
fields might lie in their way. The scanty supply of rations 
which they had been able to obtain and carry off unsuspected 
was carefully hoarded, for they did not know when or where 
they could get more. They dared not go near a house or a town, 
for fear of being recaptured. 

But like all stores that are not magic, this at last gave out. It 
was just one week after their escape that they halted, early in 
the morning, to boil the last rations of parched rye which was 
the usual substitute in the South, during the war, for coffee. The 
scanty breakfast was quickly prepared, and consumed with equal 
rapidity ; for their appetites were keen, and there was but little 
food to satisfy them. The last morsel had disappeared, and each 
man was anxiously wondering when, where and how they could 
get any more, when a party of armed men were seen running to- 
wards them. Thus menaced, they forgot their unsatisfied hun- 
ger and their anxiety about food for the future; and beat a re- 
treat that was more remarkable for speed than for good order. 
They distanced their pursuers, but in their haste they had left 
behind them all their few cooking utensils, the tin cups from 
which they drank, the knives and forks which they had man- 
aged to procure, a towel (their only one) and a box of matches. 
When we consider that they had nothing more to cook, the loss 
of their utensils and drinking cups does not seem such a hard- 
ship; but they seem to have felt it keenly; perhaps because 
they hoped to find something. By this loss, and the giving out 
of their rations, they were reduced to the necessity of wander- 
ing about the woods and fields, looking for edible roots, corn 
and berries. 

But though reduced to such straits, they still pressed resolute- 
ly onward; until at last, about the first of N"ovember, they were 
two hundred and fifty miles from the coast. Hunger makes the 
wild animals bold, and it was notwithout its effect on these poor 
fugitives, flying from the horrors of a military prison. Stealth- 
ily, by night, they approached a group of humble cabins which, 
standing within a stone's throw of a comfortable mansion house, 
indicated clearly the race by which they were occupied. The 
negroes in them were still held to servitude, though many, hear- 



578 An Escape from a Train. 

ing vague echoes of the "Battle-cry of Freedom/' had es- 
caped from the house of bondage. But all were ready and will- 
ing to aid those who were fighting for them; and though the 
Federal army had not yet penetrated to this point, they could 
show their good-will by ministering to these four soldiers. Corn- 
bread, salt, meal, a little bacon, and such other coarse food as 
was provided for them, were drawn freely from their scanty 
store and bestowed upon the escaped prisoners. They went on 
before daybreak, for to have remained would not only have im- 
periled their own safety, but would have exposed their kind en- 
tertainers to severe punishment. 

They were near Dallas, North Carolina, when, on emerging 
from a sheltered path, they came full upon a white man. So 
suddenly did the meeting occur, that they absolutely had no 
means of avoiding it J and they wisely concluded to make the 
best of an unfortunate circumstance. A guarded conversation 
began, in which each endeavored to find out about the other be- 
fore revealing himself. After much beating about the bush, they 
were driven by desperation to tell who they were, and to throw 
themselves upon the mercy of the stranger. 

"Well, I kind of thought you were Union soldiers, but I didn't 
like to ask you outright. I'm a Union man myself, and have to 
be mighty careful what I do and say, for my neighbors are all 
red hot Rebels, and won't stand any nonsense." 

"A Union man !" they exclaimed, in joyful surprise. It was 
more than they had hoped for. The utmost that they had ex- 
pected was that he would be moved to pity by their defenseless 
condition, and would not inform tlie Confederate authorities in 
Dallas of their whereabouts. As it was, he insisted that they 
should permit him to entertain them, and conducted them, by a 
circuitous route that skirted the town, to his residence, two miles 
away. He could not keep them long, for his loyalty to the 
United States was susj)ected by his Secessionist neighbors; nor 
could he fit them out as completely as he wished, for supplies 
of all kinds were hard to obtain; but he gave them what he had, 
and directed them to the houses of others whom he knew to be 
Union men, so that they no longer felt that they were as friend- 
less as the Ishmaelites. 

They crossed the Catawba nearLovelady Ford, being set over 
the river by one of the men to whom their Dallas friend had 
recommended them; and once across this stream, their party 



A71 Escape from a Train. 579 

began to increase. There were, in this section of the country, 
many men who, having been drafted into the Confederate army, 
and having become disgusted very soon with the scant rations 
and plentiful work, had deserted on the first occasion that offer- 
ed. There were others who had never made any secret of their 
anti-secession opinions, and who had, by reason of their Union- 
ism, been forced to leave home, in order to escape the persecu- 
tion of their Secessionist neighbors. Others still had a natural 
leaning towards an adventurous and lawless life. Men of these 
three classes made up an extensive body, not only in that sec- 
tion, but in all parts of the border between the North and the 
South, generally known as the "lyers out." As the presence of 
four Union soldiers, escaped from a Southern prison, became 
known, these men flocked from all directions to see and talk 
with the fugitives. Outlawed in their own section by popular 
opinion, these men had nothing but disgrace and perhaps death 
to expect from the Confederate Government; they dared not 
visit their homes; what property they had had was wasted by 
the Southern army, as that of an enemy; and they were easily 
induced to accompany the escaped prisoners to the Federal lines, 
there to enlist in the United States Army. 

The party of four was by this means increased to nearly a hun- 
dred; and although the danger of recapture was materially les- 
sened, the new recruits were so poorly provided, not only with 
military supplies, but even with the necessities of life, that the 
hardships that they must endure were much increased. They 
were far from having a sufficiency of food, and at times were 
nearly perishing for the lack of it. Occasionally, Major Davis, 
who was an experienced hunter, would shoot a bear or a wild 
hog; but game was scarce, and the carcass of one animal was 
consumed long before another could be killed. 

Hope sustained them, however, through many hardships; but 
it was a hope not destined to be realized at any early day. Like 
the will-o'-the-wisp that lures the traveler onward step by step, 
so the expectation of reaching the Federal lines at no distant 
period encouraged them in their long and painful march over 
the Blue Ridge; until it seemed that, like the will-o'-the-wisp, 
the hope was to fail them at last. As they advanced, they learn- 
ed that the Federal forces were at Bull Gap; and they pushed 
rapidly forward from Crab Orchard, East Tennessee, toward 
that point. But as they were descending Big Butt Mountain, 
37 



580 An Escape from a Train. 

they heard, in the valley of the Cumherland, the thunder of dis- 
tant cannon. Far off, almost on the horizon, they could see the 
smoke of battle. Anxiously, from their perch on the mountain 
side, did they watch the progress of the conflict. The dim cloud 
that meant so much moved away, and they knew that Grillem 
had been defeated by Breckinridge, and was retreating to Knox- 
ville. 

It was the last straw, and it broke the camel's back. As that 
dim cloud of battle-smoke faded away, their hopes faded with it. 
With a sullen patience that was born of despair, they made the 
usual preparations for encamping for the night. They gathered 
around the camp-fire, closely, for the night was cold, and their 
clothes were worn and thin, many of them ragged and tattered. 
As a matter of habit, they wrapped themselves in whatever ap- 
proach to a blanket each might possess, and lay down. Happi- 
ly for them, as one man thought, all but himself could, in sleep, 
forget the "cares which infest the day." That one man was Gen. 
Drake, whos^ anxiety was such that he could not sleep. All 
through the long night he sat beside the fire on a log, turning 
over in his mind the situation in which they were placed, and 
the probabilities of getting out of it. 

The hours passed slowly on, and towards morning, worn out 
by the fatigues through which he had passed, the officer fell into 
a light doze. Everything was quiet in that camp on the side of 
the mountain; not even the sentinel's tread to and fro disturb- 
ed the silence j for the men had all been worn out by the day's 
journey, and no part of the Confederate army was in the neigh- 
borhood. Only the gleam of the fire-light, as the blaze rose and 
fell, indicated that was a living picture. 

Suddenly the silence was broken by a wild, irregular yell, 
from more than a hundred rough and hairy throats, and the 
crack of as many carbines ; while the hoofs of horses clattered 
over the frozen ground into the very midst of the sleeping men. 
It was an element on which they had not reckoned this night, 
though often before evading this very force of guerillas. As it 
was, the surprise was complete. 'No resistance could be offered, 
and fortunate indeed were they who could escape from the glare 
of the camp fire to the intense darkness which was everywhere 
outside that circle of light. 

Among those who escaped thus from the guerillas was Gen. 
Drake himself. Awakened by the first sound, the assailants were 



i 



An Escape from a Train. 



681 



already in the midst of the camp, so sudden was the attack. 
Barefooted and bareheaded, he sj)rang away, and managed to es- 
cape to the outer darkness. The ground was white with frost, 
and the air as cold as mountain air in l^ovember can be. His feet 
were soon torn by the hard, frozen ground, and while thus soft- 
tened, a large splinter of wood entered his heel. He sat down, 
in order to remove this; and once having given up flight, felt 
hopeless. He was but half-clad in bitterly cold weather; he was 
utterly alone in a hostile country; unarmed amid a liost of foes : 




The Surprise. 

the darkness that surrounded him seemed to envelop, not only 
his whole future, but the late of the friends who had been his 
companions during the perilous journey. 

As he sat thus, in the silence, while the dim gray daylight was 
growing brighter and brighter around him, and he still mused 
despondently, voices were heard afar off, gradually coming near- 
er and nearer. He sat still, caring little if they were foes ; for 
after the hard struggle to reach the Federal lines, he had at last 
despaired. The voices became more distinct, and at last the sound 
of their footsteps on the frozen ground became audible. In an- 
other moment the party came in sight of the lonely, despairing 
man, and rushed forward to greet him. It was a number of the 



582 An Escape from a Train. 

men who had followed him to enlist in the United States Army. 
Maj. Davis was at the head of this party, but the others who had 
escaped from the train, Captains Todd and Grant, were enrolled 
among the "missing." 

The fact that they had passed through the morning's attack in 
safety seemed to inspire the survivors with new hope ; or per- 
haps with a new dread of meeting the fate of their late comrades. 
At any rate, the sullen despair of the night before had vanished ; 
and although they dropped a soldier's tear for those who had 
fallen before they could strike a blow for the Union, they de- 
termined to enter the ranks of the Federal Army or fall as these 
had done. 

It was a long and tedious journey, lasting a full week, but at 
last the sadly diminished party arrived at Knoxville, and ac- 
complished the object of its desires. The last Thursday in that 
month of November, 1864, was indeed a Thanksgiving Day to 
them, if to no one else, for on that day they enjoyed rest and 
freedom from want and suffering inexpressible. 



A RAID FOR HOBSES. 

A. Mount Wanted— A Chance to Get One — Bad Weather — "A Thrifle Near- 
er" — ^A Little too JSTear — Success — A Brick — A Charge and a Chase — A Fall 
on the Ice — Another Prisoner — Eiding Double — An Affecting (?) Farewell — 
Bad Luck— A Call on the Ladies— War Toilets —The Dinner They Miss- 
ed — The Dinner They Didn't Miss — Aixood Time — A Kude Awakening — 
Captured — Well Guarded — "Good Night" — A Prearranged Signal — "He 
Hasn't Escaped, but He's Going to" — And He Does — Chasing a Riderless 
Horse — The Rider Escapes on Foot — Gen. Sherman's Opinion on Horses 
and a Soldier's Mode of Procuring Them. 

i^r I ^ELL you what, I'd like to have another horse." 

1 "Why, what's the matter with the one you have? You 

used to brag a heap on him." 

" So I do still, only it isn't brag — not by a long shot. But I'm 
afraid he'll get killed, and then where'll I be?" 

"Ye might be on yerfate and then agin ye moughtn't." 

" Why, where else should I be, O'Brien, if my horse was kill- 
ed ?" 

" You might be killed, too, and it's meself wouldn't loike to be 
sayin' where ye would be thin. That's a matter for you to set- 
tle with yer own sowl." 

"Well, Lewis," interposed the second speaker, "I don't know 
but I'd like to have a remount myself. Let's get one ; what do 
you say?" 

"But where? That's what is bothering me," answered Lew- 
is. 

"There was a Federal raid towards Gordonsville — didn't you 
hear of it?" pursued the second, who may as well be here intro- 
duced as Private Channing Smith, of Col. Mosby's command. 

"Yes — they started back to-day. But that was a big force." 

583 



584 A. Raia J or Horses. 

" Yes, too big for us to attack; but we might pick up some 
stragglers. When they've been on a raid they don't always keep 
strict line, you know. Discipline is apt to be lax." 

" Think the colonel would let us go?" asked Lewis. 

"The colonel likes fun too well himself to want to keep others 
from having it," put in O'Brien. 

The Irishman was right about it ; no difficulty was experi- 
enced in getting permission to go, and the three men set out on 
an expedition which seems, to us in these cool days of peace, ab- 
solutely foolhardy. As Lewis and Smith had both said, the force 
of Federal raiders was a large one; and they could not tell but 
what, on approaching the column, they might be captured ; as 
vessels which venture too near a whirlpool are sucked into the 
vortex and lost in the waters. Nevertheless, they set out, rid- 
ing through a yellow winter fog so dense they could hardly dis- 
tinguish one object from another at a distance of fifty yards; and 
over ground covered with a coating of ice, as thick and smooth, 
almost, as a plate-glass mirror. The sleet which had thus cov- 
ered the ground had indeed ceased to fall, but that was the only 
good thing to be said of the weather ; and satisfaction on that 
head was much marred by thinking of the state of affairs under- 
foot. 

But though they could not see the enemy at any considerable 
distance, they could hear the tread of the horses' hoofs from afar 
off, rattling on the ice-covered road. When such sounds gave 
warning, then, that they were nearing the highway along which 
the Federals would pass, the Warrenton and Bethel road, they 
halted until the main column should have gone by. Then, with 
the principal force out of hearing, they might fall upon the 
stragglers in the rear of the column. They were so near that 
they could hear the successful raiders laughing and talking as 
they rode onward. 

"Och, we'll not be getting any of thim here," exclaimed 
O'Brien, in a tone of disgust. "Let's be getting a thriflejiearer." 

Without waiting for a reply, he spurred his horse onward, 
while the others, nothing loth, followed suit. But their haste 
was ill-timed, for they were discovered by a considerable body 
of Federals, and saluted with a shower of random shots. The 
bullets passed harmlessly over their heads, and the Confeder- 
ates, wheeling their horses, retreated with more haste than 
valor. Then ensued an exciting race, as eight or ten of the Fed- 



A Raid for Horses, 585 

erals, divining the true state of affairs, dashed after the flying 
gray-jackets. The fog was so thick and yellow that the fugi- 
tives could not be discerned J the clatter of the horses' hoofs 
over the ice-covered ground was the only guide that the pur- 
suers had. As for the Confederates, 

" They stayed not for brake, and they stopped not for stone." 
And the Federals finally gave up the chase in despair. 

Finding that they were no longer pursued, the three Eebs re- 
turned to the neighborhood of the road, hoping that by that time 
the main column would be well past, and that they might carry out 
their original plans without any such interruption as the recent 
race. They had not gone far down the road, when they met a 
party of five Yanks riding leisurely along, two of whom led each 
a second horse. This was the prize for which they had been 
looking. Charging suddenly from the undergrowth beside the 
road into the very heart of the squad, the Confederates gave 
that unearthly screech then famous as the "Eebel yell." The 
blue-coats, confused by the suddenness of the onslaught, were 
unable to defend themselves ; indeed, they were not certain but 
that a whole company had charged upon them; and although 
their hands instinctively sought their revolvers, the weapons 
were drawn only to be given up to their captors. 

"We'll have to give it up, now, I reckon, and take our prison- 
ers in," said Private Lewis. 

**It's an awful shame, too, for my horse is as fresh as a daisy, 
to say nothing of the rider," answered Private Smith, 

**So is mine, for that matter," rejoined the first speaker, "and 
if you can suggest a better plan, I'll be only too glad to put it 
into execution." 

"I was out on picket-duty last night," said Private O'Brien, 
"and I don't care for any more fun ; so if you're wanting the 
prisoners tuk to the rear, I'm your man." 

"O'Brien, you're a jewel of the first-water I" exclaimed Smith, 
his whole face expressing gratitude. 

"A regular brick," added Lewis. 

"It's the first time in me life I ever heard a brick was a jewel, 
but I'll take your word for it." 

"Well, you see, I didn't want to call you an emerald, for fear 
the prisoners would think you were green." 

"They'd soon find out the differ. But good-bye; and good 
luck to you I" 



586 A Raid for Horses. 

"Good-bye — and thank you for any luck we may have. You 
shall have your full share of the booty." 

"Yes, you can count on that." 

The two parties rode off in different directions ; O'Brien, with 
the prisoners, to Mosby's main camp ; the other two in search 
of farther adventures. It may as well be said here that the gal- 
lant Irishman reached his destination safely, with all the pris- 
oners and horses committed to his charge; such a thing being 
made possible only by the most ceaseless vigilance on his part. 

Feeling assured from what they had themselves seen that they 
would meet only with small parties of the enemy, they rode on 
boldly toward Warrenton. They were within three miles of 
that place when they saw, riding quietly along the road, with- 
out any appearance of haste, three blue-coated cavalrymen. A 
little closer inspection showed that two of the three were white 
men, while the other "was one of those proverbial during the 
war as having "fought nobh'." Dashing upon these as in the 
former case, their demand for a surrender met with no response 
in words; the actions expressed a most decided negative. There 
were some shots exchanged, but without injury on either side; 
and in a few moment's time, the Federals wheeled their horses 
and galloped away, closely followed by the Confederates. 

For a mile they dashed onward, uphill and downhill, over 
plowed fields and through thickets; clearing the fences with- 
out a pause to think of the odds. But the horses of the Feder- 
als were fatigued by their recent trip, and the pursuers steadilj- 
gained upon the fugitives. In order to complicate the chase, the 
blue-coats scattered ; and the gray-jackets, quick to perceive the 
intention, separated, Smith pursuing the negro, and Lewis the 
two whites. If the superior freshness of the horse he rode had 
given him the advantage before, it now enabled Smith to lessen 
the distance still more rapidly between himself and his game. 
Shot after shot was fired at the dodging fugitive, the last when 
he was not more than two yards away. 

"Surrender!" cried Smith, his still smoking revolver aimed at 
the negro's head as ho rode forward. But just as the Confeder- 
ate reached out to catch the bridle-rein, his own horse slipped 
and fell on the icy road, carrjnng the rider heavily to the earth. 
The Federal's horse, startled by the sudden jerk of the rein, 
plunged wildly J and the negro, already mortally wounded and 
scarcely able to keep his seat, rolled helplessly from the saddle. 



A Raid for Horses. 687 

But Lewis had been less fortunate in his pursuit; his game 
had well-nigh escaped his clutches, when he saw the mishap of 
his friend. Fearing that the negro had obtained the mastery, 
he hastened back; though the fog had cleared away somewhat, 
it was still so dense that he did not see the true state of affairs 
until within a few yards of the scene; for Smith was so entan- 
gled in the stirrups that he would have fared badly in case his 
enemy had been less helpless. It was not until Lewis had al- 
most reached him that he freed himself and sprang to his feet. 
Thus they failed to take alive any one of these three; the col- 
ored soldier having been killed, while the white men escaped. 

Eiding on, somewhat chagrined by the failure, it was fully 
half an hour before another opportunity offered itself. The en- 
emy then was represented by two cavalrymen, from whom they 
were separated only by a fence and some twenty yards of field. 
The Federals had ridden up to the bars which separated the cul- 
tivated ground from the road, and were about to let them down; 
probably intending to look for a house at which they could get 
dinner; when the Confederates dashed at them, shouting a de- 
mand to surrender. The answer came readily enough — a pistol- 
shot; to which the attacking party replied without delay. In 
the brisk little battle which ensued, the horse of one of the Fed- 
erals was shot. The rider sprang to the ground and was about 
to fight on foot, when his companion, thinking himself left alone 
to resist two, wheeled his horse and galloped off. Thus desert- 
ed, the dismounted trooper could only surrender; and the pris- 
oner was carried off in triumph. 

But they were not to proceed far with him. The firing had 
alarmed a considerable body of Federals that was coming down 
the road, and the trooper who had left them in such haste had 
hurried back to this force. His story was soon told ; how much 
his excited imagination added to the truth is not certain ; but no 
less than one hundred men were detailed to put the host of Con- 
federates to flight. As the latter rode off with their prisoner, 
wondering how they could dispose of him in such a way as to 
permit ''more fun," they heard the clatter of hoofs behind them. 
Nearer and nearer they came ; the prisoner, who, by reason of 
lack of horses, had been obliged to ride double with Lewis, and 
had, therefore, no chance of escape, felt his heart beat hard. He 
looked back. Behind Smith, who acted as rear-guard, was the 
bluish mass that told him his comrades were coming to his 



588 A Raid for Horses. 

rescue. Lewis and Smith looked back, too, but to them the 
prospect was less cheerful. There was a moment's consultation ; 
then they stopped, and Lewis addressed the prisoner: 

''I'm very sorry we can't have the pleasure of your company 
any longer, but ray horse can't make good time when he carries 
double. There are your friends ; you'd better wait until they 
come up; we can't very well do so. Grood bj^e.'* 

"Good bye," answered the late prisoner; "I can't say I'm sor- 
ry to leave you, but I wish you'd let me introduce you to ray 
friends." 

But the offer was declined with a laugh, as the two Confeder- 
ates rode oif at full speed, followed by the Federals for a short 
distance. But the latter soon gave up the chase, as they were 
somewhat disgusted as soon as they found how small a party 
they had been sent to pursue. Safely out of reach of the enemy, 
Lewis and Smith began to discuss their adventures. 

"I never saw so rauch bad luck," grurabled Lewis; "three of 
us, and only five prisoners and seven horses to show for our 
leave of absence from camp. It's too bad." 

"Yes," assented Smith; "and the worst of it is, we haven't 
accomplished a thing since O'Brien went back. There were at 
least five of them that we ought to have had; but the darkey got 
killed, and we had to leave one, and the others got away." 

"I tell you," said Lewis, suddenly struck by a happy thought, 
" there won't be any more Feds along, I reckon ; let's go home 
and see the folks at Cedar Hill." 

"I don't look very nice" — began the other. 

" O, a uniform is better than any other kind of clothes, in 
their eyes. Besides, the girls will be dressed in homespun ; so 
they'll call it square. Bless you, my boy, they'll be so glad to 
see us they won't give a second thought to our appearance." 

" It wasn't the clothing so rauch as a general untidiness. Let's 
stop and make our toilets at the spring in 's field." 

The suggestion was adopted ; the powder-stains were washed 
off, the worn gray uniforms brushed as well as circumstances 
would allow — they had neither bristle brush or whisk — and they 
rode on to the house. As Lewis had predicted, his mother and 
sisters looked not at the outer man, but welcomed the soldier son 
and his companion most heartily. The homespun dresses, dyed 
a dark brown with walnut-hulls, were freshened up with 
ribbons which in better days had been discarded; but which, 



A Raid for Horses. 



689 



when new ones became unattainable, had been eagerly hunted 
up, and washed and ironed for future use. Their shoes had been 
fashioned from bits of cloth by their own nimble fingers; the 
soles of those bought " before the "War" doing duty a second time, 
perhaps even oftener. They wore no jewelry, for not only would 
it have been most inappropriate to their present costumes, but 
they dared not display it, lest it be taken from them by the 
strong hand of the bushwhacker. 




The Toilet. 

"I declare, it's too bad," said Mrs. Lewis, after the first wel- 
comings were over, being, like a good housewife, "on hospitable 
thoughts intent." "If you had come a day or so sooner I'd have 
had a real nice dinner for you ; but there were fifteen Yankees 
here for dinner yesterday, and they ate up nearly everything on 
the place." 

" Don't let that trouble you, ma'am," returned Smith. "We 
only intended to make a short call." 

"Indeed, you shall not leave the house to-night. But I had 
such nice mince pies. Currants and raisins are not to be had, 
of course, but I used some cherries I dried last summer, and 
you'd have been surprised at the result. The Feds even made 
me cook my Christmas turkey, that I had hung out to freeze." 

"Why, did they stop so long?" asked her son, in surprise. 

'* O, they sent word that they'd be here; and the two who 



590 A Raid for Horses. 

brought the message ordered the bill of fare. But I can givej'ou 
some good coffee — not made out of rye — and I know that that 
will be a luxury." 

"I've most forgotten how the real article tastes, we've been 
drinking the rye so long." 

"Well, this isn't really Rio or Java; it's nothing more than 
sweet potatoes, cut up and browned, and then used just like cof- 
fee-grains ; but you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Then 
it don't need any sugar, either, and that's an advantage nowa- 
days." 

The table was soon spread with what seemed, to the half fam- 
ished soldiers, a veritable feast; and not only did hunger make 
it seem better than it was, but the fact that it was not camp cook- 
ing rendered it more palatable. Adepts as the ladies had become 
in the art of concealing portables, many things had escaped the 
sharp eyes of the Federals. One of the much-vaunted mince pie? 
was produced from the recesses of a pile of milk-pans; the re- 
mains of the turkey, scant as they were, had been skillfully pre 
pared for use ; the corn-bread was yellow with the treasures of 
hidden nests that could not be found when their contents were 
required by the enemy; while broiled chicken and ham adorned 
the end of the board. 

The evening passed merrily, for the soldiers did not need much 
pressing to be induced to remain. But song and story were end- 
ed at last, and at a late hour the party separated for the night • 
the two soldiers being lodged in one room. After their day's 
hard riding, they slept well. The night wore on, and the " wee, 
sma' hours" had come. The clock marked three in the morning 
when the tired slumberers were aroused by a tremendous knock- 
ing, seemingly at all the outer doors of the house. 

" Open the doors, or we'll batter them down \" cried a dozen 
stern voices; and, as if in fulfillment of the threat, the knocking, 
which had ceased for the moment, recommenced. Broad awake 
at once, as became soldiers, the two guests held a hurried coun- 
cil of war. 

" The house is surrounded by Yankees.*' 

"What are we to do ?" 

" The roof of the porch is just under this window ; we might 
get out on that." 

"Yes, the night is dark enough to shelter us; but what after 
we get on the porch? They seem to be in the yard all around 



A Raid for Horses. 



591 



the house. There don't seem much chance of escape, I fear/' 

"We could lie close up to the wall — the roof is flat — and wait 
until they give up the search." 

" All right, then. I reckon we'd better take one pistol apiece 
with us." 

"Yes ; we can throw the rest under the bed. Are you ready ?" 

"Yes ; come on." 

The window was cautiously opened, and shielded by the in- 
tense darkness of the night, they stepped out upon the roof. 




^^ Surrounded by Yankees!" 

There was an element, however, which had not entered into 
their calculations — the tin roof was covered with ice, and it was 
impossible for them to walk without noise. The sound of their 
footsteps was at once heard by the enemy in the yard below. 
Instantly there were thirty or forty shots fired at them, and as 
many voices called upon them to surrender. 

" I reckon we'll have to," said Smith in a low tone to Lewis, 
who assented; the former then called: 

"All right; here's my pistol ; catch it somebody." 
He tossed his pistol downward, not without a grim hope that 
it might fall on somebody's head; a hope, however, that was des- 
tined to disappointment. The doors of the house had by this 
time been opened, and an officer, followed by an orderly carrying 



592 A Raid for Horses. 

a ligbt, had made his way to the hcdroom lately occupied hy the 
two Confederates. To him, accordingly, as the representative 
of a company of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, they surrendered. 

Upon the parting, so strangely contrasting with the innocent, 
light-hearted gayety of the evening, we need not dwell. There 
were enough tears lavished upon the son and brother, enough 
prayers sent after him, to serve the stranger too. But the leave- 
taking was cut short by the captors, who were not altogether cruel 
in doing so. To their great joy, the two prisoners found that 
their own horses had been saddled for them, though they gave no 
vent to their feelings, and forbore to boast that the animals were 
remarkable for speed and bottom. But the Federals arranged 
things so carefully that escape seemed impossible. There were 
several other companies at the barn, beside the one which had 
surrounded the house, and the prisoners were placed in the cen- 
tre of the long column ; a man on either side to prevent escape 
in that direction. 

*' Can't some of you give me a spur?" pleaded Smith; "I'm 
afraid I can't keep up, this old horse of mine is so nearly played 
out." 

There was not a word vouchsafed in answer, and he went on : 

" It's one of your own broken-down cavalry horses, so you may 
be sure he don't amount to much. Say, Mrs. Lewis haven't you 
got any stray spurs that you can let nie have ?" 

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Smith; the house has been pretty well 
emptied of everything that could be useful to a soldier." 

" Well, I suppose he'll go until he stops; then you'll have to 
give me another, or let me go." 

Still there was no reply from the persons to whom the last re- 
marks were addressed ; and the column moved on. Be it under- 
stood that, in thus underrating his good steed, Smith was not 
insulting his captors' knowledge of horseflesh; it must be re- 
membered that it was between three and four o'clock on the 
morning of Dec. 27th, and the weather was cloudy. They had 
not gone far when a long-armed Yankee, having seen by the 
lights at the house that Smith wore a reallj'' good hat, and 
knowing that his own had seen its best days, reached over, and 
suiting the action to the word, said : 

*' Hi, Johnny, let's swap hats." 

"See here," retorted Smith, you've no business to do that, if 
I am a prisoner in the hands of your regiment." 



A Raid for Horses. 593 

"Business or no business," answered the captor, "how are you 
going to help yourself?" 

"I'm going to get away, the first opportunity I see, or know 
.the reason why," thought Smith ; but he answered never a word, 
for to say so much aloud would, of course, have prevented the 
occurrence of any such opportunity. The Federals, doubtless, 
suspected that both their prisoners held such intentions, and 
maintained, for many miles, a ceaseless vigilance; but the Con- 
federates, aware that they would be closely guarded at first, 
made no attempt to escape. When he saw, however, that the 
guard beside him, weary with the night ride, was almost nod- 
ding in his saddle, Smith swerved suddenly to the right, and 
dashing past the drowsy blue-coat, called, "Good-night," mock- 
ingly, and was oflf towards the mountains. Every man in the 
column was wide awake in an instant, and a shower of bullets sent 
after him, almost before the sound of his voice had reached their 
ears. But the horse which had lately figured as a broken-down 
nag, thrown aside as useless by the Federal cavalry, now devel- 
oped a mettle most extraordinary for such an animal. Faster 
and faster he went, hardly needing the digging of his rider's 
boot-heels into his sides, as he heard the whistling of bullets, the 
reports of pistols, the shouting, the clatter of hoofs behind him. 
The fugitive gained rapidly on his pursuers, until a ditch was 
reached. The spirited horse gathered his strength for the leap, 
and plunged forward j but he slipped upon the icy ground, and 
rolled over. As the animal fell. Smith, more fortunate than 
when in pursuit of the negro, sprang from the saddle, and pur- 
sued his journey on foot. 

The Eighth, or that portion of it which had joined in the pur- 
suit, was nearly up when Smith's horse fell; but the obscurity 
of the night favored his concealment. They did not find, until 
they were nearly on the edge of the ditch, that he had been dis 
mounted, and after searching several of the neighboring thick- 
ets, they returned to the main column. Meantime, Smith was 
making his way, by a roundabout road, back to Cedar hill ; con- 
jecturing that the house where he had been captured would be 
the safest place possible, as they would not think of looking for 
him there. By a strange coincidence, the talk the evening be- 
fore had turned upon the danger of approaching the house with- 
out knowing that the house was clear; and Mrs. Lewis' mother- 
ly heart was filled with terror as she thought of the danger into 



594 A Raid for Horses. 

which her son and his friend would have run, had they come the 
day before. 

"We ought to have some sort of a signal, by which you could 
call any one of us out to tell you," suggested one of the young 
ladies. 

" 'Whistle and I'll come to you, my lad,' " quoted another, hy 
way of suggestion. 

"All right," answered the brother, "let it be a whistle. But 
what tune? 'Dixie'?" 

"No, that might be suspected if there was any one here. Let 
it be some old tune — 'Bonnie Doon,' for instance — that's neutral." 

So it was agreed upon that "Bonnie Doon," softly whistled at a 
certain point, should be the signal for one of them to go there. 
They little thought that the appointed sign of communication 
would be so soon found useful. It was about dawn on that 
winter morning, when the notes of the old song were heard. 
Distressed by the capture of their son and brother, the ladies 
had not attempted to sleep again, but had gathered cheerlessly 
in the sitting-room. The effect of the whistle was magical. 

"Girls, girls," remonstrated the mother; "we mustn't all go. 
Let one go out and bring him in very quietly. We don't know 
how near the Feds may be." 

They had all sprung from their seats by a common impulse, 
but now paused, a little impatiently, until she should select one 
for the pleasing duty. The chosen messenger lost no time 
on the way, it may well be believed; but her triumph on 
her return was less than it would have been had her compan- 
ion been the other prisoner. But disappointed as they were, 
they bravely smothered all expression of it as they welcomed 
the fugitive. 

"I expect Richard will be along here in a little while," the 
new comer announced, as soon as the excitement had somewhat 
subsided. 

"O, will he? Did he escape, too ?" queried all in chorus. 

"N — no," he had to admit, "he hasn't escaped yet, but he's go- 
ing to." 

His tone was so confident that it reassured them, in spite of 
their anxiety ; and they were soon eagerly questioning him as 
to the mode of his escape; keeping one ear open, meanwhile, to 
hear "Bonnie Doon" as soon as it should be again whistled. But 
while Mr. Smith relates how he got away, and calmed the fears 



A Raid for Morses. 



505 



of the ladies, let us return to the beloved object of their anxiety. 

"You'd better not make any movement that looks like trying 
to escape," said the soldier beside him to Lewis, as Smith dash- 
ed off; "just as soon as I see any sign of it, I'll blow your brains 
out." 

"O, it's a hopeless case for me," returned Lewis, with a sigh, 
"crippled as I am. My knee-pan was shattered by a Minie-ball 
in the Wilderness, and it's all I can do to get around." 

Thus reassured, the guard paid but little further attention to 
Lewis, being absorbed in the chase of the escaped prisoner. But 



V 



/I 




k?g, J^-'/^.j-f/- 



T/ 1 Sirpiul — "Bonnie Doon.'^ 

the officer in charge of the force was more attentive to his duty, 
and two men were posted, one on each side of the prisoner, each 
with a drawn pistol in his hand, having orders to fire in case of 
any suspicious movement. In vain did Lewis repeat his story 
of an injured knee; a ruse upon which he had decided as soon 
as he saw that he must be captured, and that he had been care- 
ful to act out. Whether they believed the story or not does 
not appear; but certainly they were not induced by it to relftx 
their attentions to the remaining prisoner. 



596 



A Raid for Horses. 



Smith had bolted just after the command had passed Little 
Georgetown. From that point they had ridden towards the 
plains, and having reached the line of the Manassas Railroad, 
had crossed Broad Eun on the railway bridge, and turned to the 
left towards Hopewell Gap. Every moment the chances were 
growing less and less, for every moment they were drawing 
nearer to the Federal camp. As they turned to the right, Lewis 
spurred suddenly to the left, and was fifty yards away before 
even his special guards took in the situation. The whole force 
dashed after him in the wildest disorder, for to have both the 
prisoners escape was a thing not to be quietly borne. Lewis' 
horse gave every promise of distancing the pursuers, when, in 
crossing a swampy place, he failed to find the solid road, and 
sank to the saddle girths. Seeming to understand the perilous 
situation of his rider, the animal floundered about in the mud, 
trying to free himself and to find a firmer foothold. 

Every moment the host of pursuers was getting nearer and 
nearer; if, in a moment, the horse cannot extricate himself, the 
soldier knows he will be recaptured. Yet the horse, in spite of 
all his efforts, must fail ; so Lewis quietly slips from the saddle, 
and crouches in a laurel thicket near by. The horse, relieved of 
his rider's weight, struggles to better advantage, and is free be- 
fore the pursuers have approached close enough to see that the 
saddle is empty. Once out of the mudhole, the horse almost 
flew up the railroad, fallowed hotly by the whole body of Fed- 
erals ; his pace by no means the slower by reason of the bullets 
that whistled over-his head, the bullets fired at the rider who 
was not in the saddle. At last, however, they were obliged to 
give up the chase, for their own animals had the disadvantage 
of being each burdened with a rider. 

Meanwhile, Lewis lay in the laurels, anxiously waiting until 
the sound of hoofs should die away. As they grew fainter and 
fainter, he came out of his hiding-place and bent his steps to- 
wards Cedar Hill, where he arrived safely some two hours after 
Smith got there. Whether or not the Federals ever knew why 
that horse could run so fast, is a matter on which history is silent, 
nor is it recorded how long they continued the chase. Both 
horses made their way to a point on Pignut Mountain, at which 
their masters had often camped, and were found there a few 
hours later, none the worse for their early morning race. 

Smith and Lewis left Cedar Hill for the second time tha^ 



A Raid for Horses. 597 

morning, under less sorrowful auspices, and returned safely to 
camp, to divide the horses they had captured, and to recount to 
their comrades, beside the camp-fire, the adventures of the day 
and night. 



JSToTE. — To those who are sticklers for the observance of law, 
the project of the three men whose adventures are above rela- 
ted may seem to be pure horse stealing; such as, in the opinion 
of our brethren of the Far West, is best rewarded by a hempen 
necktie fastened with a slip-knot. For the benefit of such per- 
sons as would make the soldier, in time of war, subject to the 
same code as the citizen in time of peace, we append the letter 
of the present General of the Army, written in reply to the com- 
plaint of a Confederate clergyman : 

Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 16, 1864. 
"Kev. , Confederate Army : 

" Dear Sir : Your letter of Sept, Mth, is received. I approacli a question involv- 
ing the title of a horse with great diffidence; for the laws of war — that mj'sterious 
code of which we talk so much and know so little, are remarkably silent on the horse. 
He is a beast so tempting to the soldier, to him of wild cavalrj^ the fancy artillery, or 
the patient infantry, that I find more difficulty in recovering a worthless, spavined 
beast than in paying a million of greenbacks ; sol fear I must reduce your claim to 
one of finance, and refer you to the Board of Claims in "Washington. That may 
reach your case by the time that your grandchild becomes a great grandfather. 

"Privatelj-, I think it was a shabby thing in the scamp of the Thirty -first Missouri 
who took your horse, and the Colonel or his Brigadier should have returned him ; 
but I cannot undertake to make good the sins of omission of my own Colonels or 
Brigadiers, much less of those of a former generation. 'When this cruel war is 
over,' and peace once more gives you a parish, I will promise, if near you, to procure 
out of one of Uncle Sam's corrals a beast that will replace the one taken from you so 
wrongfully. But now 'tis impossible. We have a big journey before us, and will 
need all we have, and, I fear, more too ; so look out when the Yankees are about and 
hide your beasts, for my experience is, that all soldiers are very careless in a search 
for title. 

" I know General Hardee will confirm this my advice. 

" With great respect, yours truly, 

" Wm. T. Sherman, Major-Qeneral." 



•;pHAPTEI^ l^. 



CAPTURE AND FLIGHT OF CORRESPONDENTS. 

The Newspaper Man — Kunning the Confederate Batteries at Yicksburg — Captured — 
Libb}' — Plans to Escape — Castle Thunder — Salisbury — Hurry Up — Change in 
Management — A Forged Pass — Another Plan — An Apologetic Guard— Past the 
Outer Guards— Prudent Halt— The Gray Mare— Cold Weather— Sable Friends 
—Losing the Way— " The Old United States"— "Nobody Ever Gits Thar"— 
The March across the Mountains — Dan Ellis, the Famous Guide — Generous 
Enemies — Danger Threatens — A Pretty Guide — The Federal Pickets. 

THE enterprise of the American newspaper man is passing 
into a proverb; he will have news at any price ; and in 
times of great public excitement he is half-wild with anxiety 
lest a rival get later or more of the precious commodity than he 
and his assistants. The ambition extends down to the very 
newsboys — shall we wonder, then, to find it existing in the 
breasts of the War Correspondents of highly esteemed journals ? 
To the latter class belong the three gentlemen whose adven- 
tures are now to follow: Messrs. A. D. Richardson, J. H. 
Browne, and R. T. Col burn ; the latter representing the JVew 
York World, and his companions, the Tribune. Arriving at Milli- 
ken's Bend, twenty-five miles above Vicksburg, they found that 
the memorable siege of that city had already begun. Gen. 
Grant's headquarters were at Grand Gulf, seventy miles below 
the point at which they had just arrived, and they determined 
to complete their journey without delay. The overland trip re- 
quired three days ; that by water eight hours. But the differ- 
ence of time seems, at this distance, to have been more than 
counterbalanced by the difference in danger. The land route 
was infested by guerillas, as were all the roads of the seat of 
war; men Were Northern or Southern in sentiment, according 
598 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 599 

as Northern or Southern soldiers offered themselves as prey; 
but the boats would be exposed to the fire from the batteries of 
the besieged city. But what of that? Time was precious. For 
some days Gen, Grant had been receiving his supplies by this 
short route, as it was called, and fully three-fourths of the boats 
had got through safely. A difference of more than sixty hours 
would be of great importance to the papers to which they trans- 
mitted news. 

When, therefore, they learned that an expedition was to set 
out on the night of May 3d, they determined to join it. The 
previous trips had been made when the moon gave little or no 
light, but on this particular night it shone with full glory. In- 
deed, as they found after starting, the expedition seemed de- 
signed to tempt the Confederates. The hay lay loosely over the 
bales, over the deck, over everything; a spark from their own 
tug might ignite it; there were but two buckets for use in such 
a case; and if they failed to extinguish the hay before it had set 
fire to the barges, there was not a skiff in which the men on 
board might escape. 

It was ten o'clock when the little tug steamed away from Mil- 
liken's Bend, a huge barge, loaded with forage and provisions, 
on either side; while thirty-five men formed the crew, defend- 
ers and passengers. Down the broad, turbid Mississippi, hug- 
ging the shore as closely as may be, not only to avoid the snags 
and sandbars which threaten them when out of the channel, 
which then lay near the shore, but that by keeping such a course 
they might screen themselv , partially, at least, by the dense 
overhanging foliage. 

For three hours they steamed quietly along, and still the 
moonlight lay peacefully on the broad yellow waters. Sudden- 
ly a rocket shot up into the air — some Eebel, lurking in the for- 
ests that skirt the stream on both banks, took this means of sig- 
nalling their presence to his comrades in the city. Scarcely ten 
minutes had passed before ? shot plunged, hissing and steaming 
into the water just before them ; and almost at the same instant 
a shell exploded upon one of the barges. Eapidly the deadly 
missiles followed; nor was there a chance of getting out of 
range; the Confederates were in excellent practice, and the riv- 
er winds back and forth so persistently around Yicksburg that 
for nearly seven miles it would be impossible to get beyond 
range. All along the shore, it seemed, were huge dark caverns, 



600 Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 

out of which flashed sheets of flame, wierdly illuming the night. 

But as time went on, the idea of passing the batteries in safe- 
ty was not so hopeless as it had at first seemed. More than two- 
thirds of the distance had been passed — two miles farther, and 
they would no longer be exposed to the guns. But they had 
hardly begun to congratulate themselves on being thus far safe, 
when a shell struck the tug, killing its captain and the man at 
the wheel; they heard the shriek of the two men as the frag- 
ments of shell descended ; they heard a huge crash, followed by 
a wild yell from the shore. Peering through the shower of cin- 
ders and ashes that fell about them, they saw the whirling of 
the waters as the tug went down. Nor was this the worst. The 
shell which had struck the boiler and caused the explosion of 
that, had passed through it into the furnaces, and bursting there, 
scattered the fire over the barges. Of course, the loose hay was 
soon in a blaze, which it was impossible, despite all their efi'orts, 
to trample out. 

Military discipline was of course at an end ; it was equally im- 
possible and unnecessary; the only order to be given was, 
^^Sauve qui pent" — in plain English, "Take care of yourself." 
Every one busied himself throwing bales of hay into the water 
for the assistance of those who could not swim; for the crew of 
the tug and many of the soldiers were in the water, clinging 
helplessly to the fragments of the wrecked tug. 

From the stern of the barge rose a huge sheet of flame, whose 
red glare, mingled with the pale moonlight, gave a ghastly ef- 
fect to the whole scene; and, what was far worse, enabled the 
gunners to take excellent aim. Between shot and fire, the barges 
were rapidly becoming untenable, and those still remaining up- 
on them found themselves obliged to adopt the plan of the oth- 
ers, and try to navigate on bales of hay. Among these were the 
three newspaper men. But there was no chance of escape; 
both banks of the river were in the hands of the enemy; the 
Rebel pickets were posted for a distance of ten or twelve miles 
below — farther than they could hope to be carried by the current 
before daylight should expose them to musket-shot. There was 
absolutely no hope of escape. 

"Hallo, there ! Haven't you any boats ?" 

This came from the shore. The answer in the negative was 
followed by a pause in the firing, and the silence of the night 
was presently interrupted by the sound of oars. One after an- 



602 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 




Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 603 

other the floaters were picked up and transferred to the yawl 
which the Confederates sent out. When landed, it was found 
that eight or ten were missing, sixteen alive and unhurt, and the 
remainder scalded or wounded. Many of them, to reduce their 
weight as much as possible for swimming, had cast off much of 
their clothing as an encumbrance, and now, in the march that 
followed, suffered for it. Especially was this the case with those 
who had divested themselves of their shoes, as many had done. 

They had landed two miles below the city, to which the offi- 
cer in command speedily conducted them. Their names register- 
ed there by the commander of the City Guard, they were taken 
just before daylight, to the city jail. They did not long remain 
here, however, being transferred to more pleasant quarters dur- 
ing the day, and on Tuesday, being duly paroled, they were put 
on board a train bound for Eichmond, whence they were to be 
exchanged. 

Traveling, though by rail and steamer, at a snail's pace, it was 
eleven days before they reached their destination. They were 
taken to Libby, that terror of the Northern soldier, there to re- 
main, they could not tell how long. Colburn was almost imme- 
diately released, but the other two were regarded with pecu- 
liar disfavor as attaches of the Tribune, looked upon as an abo- 
lition sheet, and detained in prison ; the authorities refusing to 
I'atify the act of the agent who had paroled them and promised 
that they should be speedily exchanged. 

Many were the devices employed here, as in all military pris- 
ons, to kill time; reading, studying, carving ornaments from 
bones and rubber buttons, plajnng cards, talking of home, mock 
trials, discussing political matters, and so forth ; but chief in in- 
terest became planning an escape. Many were the ingenious 
devices hit upon by men whom long confinement rendered 
desperate; but over the many we have no time to linger; it 
must be enough to tell of one. 

More than once the quick-witted Bohemians of the great me- 
tropolis had endeavored to escape, but their plans had been dis- 
covered too soon, and themselves placed in durance viler than 
ever for the attempt. Eemoved to Castle Thunder, the case 
seemed more hopeful than when they were at Libby; but month 
after month passed away, and still they were prisoners. 

More than a year and half elapsed while they were thus dis- 
cussing and trying various plans; meanwhile, as one of them 



604 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 



frankly admits, others who were less ingenious in devising and 
less critical in adopting a path to freedom had already escaped. 
Removed to Salisbury early in 1864, they did not discontinue 
their efforts; but as surely as a plan was adopted and put into 
execution, so surely was it frustrated. Tunnels were tried so 
often, and discovered when on the eve of completion, that 
Browne, never sanguine as to the chance of success, declared : 




I 



Castle Thunder. 

"We'll never get out that way unless we run a tunnel to Knox- 
ville and come to light again inside our lines/' 

As Knoxville was two hundred miles away, this was only 
another way of saying "impossible." 

At last a better plan was devised. Mr. Wm. E. Davis, of the 
Cincinnati Gazette, and Mr. Browne, had been allowed to assist 
in the prison hospital, being provided with passes that would 
permit them to pass the first line of guards. Theoretically, every 
one to whom this extent of liberty was accorded, gave his parole 
not to abuse it by attempting to escape ; but several officers were 
charged with this dutj", and, among them, in some way, our two 
correspondents were forgotten, and not required to give the 
necessary guaranty. 

" Tell you what, we'd better hurry up," was the remark of one, 
as he came in from hospital duty on Saturday morning, Dec. 17th. 

"Why should we tear ourselves away?" was the reply of one. 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 606 

"Gen. Johnson has arrived and is to supersede Major Gee 
Mondaj^; he won't stand any fooling about passes and paroles, I 
know/' 

" Then we will have to get away" — 
" To-morrow. Precisely." 

" But how is Eichardson to get out without a pass Y* 
This was a poser. So many schemes had been tried in com- 
pany, that they felt they could not leave one of their trio be- 
hind. 

" I'll make him one," suggested Browne, at length. 
So a good while had to be devoted to preparing the pass, so 
difficult is forgery to an unaccustomed hand. In the meantime 
another was added to their party : Captain "Wolfe i but he was al- 
ready provided with the assistant-commandant's signature, be- 
ing another of the hospital assistants. 

Sunday morning dawned, cold and rainy. 
"Junius," said Mr. Eichardson, "do you know I have nay 
doubts about using that pass ? Suppose the guard should take 
it into his head to send it up for examination?" 
" Take mine, then ; that's genuine." 
"But what will you do ?" 

" O, they all know my face — or I can call some one who can 
identify me." 

Accordingly, about half an hour before dark, the three hospital 
attaches walked boldly past the sentinel. They were compell- 
ed to choose so early an hour, because after dark no one, be he 
who he may, could pass without the countersign. A few minutes 
later, another of the prisoners, accompanied by a boy, and carry- 
ing a long box of empty bottles, approached the gate. 

" Now I'll go and get the bottles filled, and you wait here until 
I come back j I won't be gone more than fifteen minutes. I 
want you to distribute them among the wards of the hospital. 
Don't go away, now," 
" I won't, sir," answered the boy, obediently. 
Intending to rely, if possible, upon pure " cheek," he attempt- 
ed to walk boldly past the sentinel in whose hearing and at 
whom these words had been spoken ; but was stopped with : 
" Have you got a pass !" 

"Certainly I have, sir; don't you know who I am? You've 
seen the pass often enough." 
Somewhat awed by his tone, the soldier replied; 



606 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents, 



"I suppose I have, sir, but I didn't recognize you at first. You 
see, they're very strict since so many have escaped in that way." 

Fortunately for many, some at least of the soldiers in both 
armies were not first-rate scholars; while St. Louis was under 
martial law, a certain gentleman, who should have been in the 
guard-house, went about his daily avocations, protected by an 
old gas bill J and the present sentinel, though this pass bore the 
name of Junius H. Browne, whom he had seen go out a few 
minutes before, and with whose face he was perfectly familiar, 
handed it back with: 




Salisbury Prison. 

" It's all right, sir; pass out. Excuse me for detaining you." 
He passed out to join his companions. It was necessary to 
wait until it became a little darker before it would be safe for 
them to proceed farther; so after meeting at the appointed ren- 
dezvous and appointing the next place of meeting, they separa- 
ted to loiter singly about the hospital until it should be dark 
enough for their purpose. 

Many were the risks which they had yet to run. They were 
not familiar with many persons outside of the prison, but a meet- 
ing with any one of them would be equivalent to a betrayal. 
Particularly was this the case with Mr. Eichardson, as he was 
known to have no pass ; but although he met three acquaint- 
ances, they did not have their wits about them sufficiently to 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. ' 607 

think that anything was wrong. At last the wished-for dark- 
ness arrived j and they marched boldly past the outer guards 
— unchallenged ; for the sentinels supposed that of course they 
were surgeons or nurses who had a perfect right to pass in or 
out. 

They walked onward as rapidly as they dared, until they 
reached a field about a mile away from the prison, where three 
iay down in a fence corner, in a bed of reeds, while Mr. Davis 
went to find a friend who had promised them shelter. Breathless- 
ly they waited until the return of their companion. 

"C me on," said he; " it's all right." 

They followed him, and soon found their friend awaiting them 
in a field near by. 

"I'm sorry I can't do as much for you," he said, " as I prom- 
ised ; but my house is full of Eebels, and of course it would be 
too dangerous for you to be anywhere near. The best I can do 
is to take you to a tolerably safe place. I've got to leave on the 

train that starts in half an hour, but I'll tell about you, 

and he will see you tomorrow." 

Conducting them to a barn, in full sight of the prison, he bade 
them climb into the haymow and hide themselves under the 
hay. Here they could hear the sentinels call: "All's well!" 
but the sound only lulled them to rest. They could well afford 
to lose time ; indeed, it was prudence which advised them to lie 
concealed in a short distance of the prison for some time; for 
they knew that the Confederates, as soon as they were cogniz- 
ant of the escape, would patrol the country far and wide. Es- 
caping prisoners, in their haste to get away, usually traveled 
with feverish speed as far as possible the first night, and, in 
their exhaustion, were easily overtaken. Against this our quar- 
tette resolved to guard, by remaining far within the line where 
the Confederates would look for them. 

They relied for assistance upon three classes of persons — the 
negroes, always ready to help escaping prisoners of the Con- 
federacy, citizens of secret or avowed Union sympathies, and 
some soldiers. It ma}^ be thought strange that they expected 
aid from the latter class, but it must be remembered that in any 
army recruited wholly or partly by conscription, there must be 
some who are secretly disaffected ; and at this stage of the War 
there was considerable dissatisfaction with the Government at 
Eiehmond. Their present host, if so we may terra him, was a 



608 Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 

Confederate soldier, who would have helped them much but for 
a restraining domestic influence j his wife, like most housewives 
who had slaves to deal with, kept the keys; and she was too 
strongly Southern for him to dare to suggest to her that they 
should feed Northern prisoners. 

Two days, then, passed, during which the only rations which 
their would-be friend could suj^ply to them was water ; at the 
end of that time, calculating that the Confederate scouts would 
have returned from their fruitless quest and report that the 
prisoners had made good their escape, they repaired to the ren- 
dezvous where they were to meet Lieut. "Welborn, of the Confed- 
erate militia. He was accompanied by another escaped prison- 
er, a private soldier, who had become possessed of a Confeder- 
ate uniform and had walked boldly past the guards. They 
would find friends, the officer said, in a settlement fifty railer 
away ; and he gave them written directions how to reach thij 
point. 

Bidding this friend good-bye, they set out, through the al- 
most bottomless mud, along the road indicated. Turning into 
the woods some three miles from their starting point, they trav- 
eled painfully onward until three A. M., when they endeavored 
to sleep upon the pine needles that formed a thick carpet over 
the ground ; but the cold had become so intense, that, weaken- 
ed as they were by sickness and long confinement, they could 
not make themselves comfortably warm while at rest. Added 
to the other discomforts they must endure, they were very in- 
sufficiently clad ; for to have dressed too warmly would have 
excited the suspicions of the guard. 

When daylight came, they found themselves so near a settle- 
ment that they dared not move on for fear of attracting atten- 
tion ; and were obliged to remain in the pine thicket until the 
darkness of a rainy night afforded them the concealment need- 
ed. They approached a large plantation, and Thurston, the sol- 
dier, volunteered to reconnoiter, since, in case of discovery, his 
uniform would protect him. Cautiously approaching the quar 
ters, he found an old man and woman were the only occupants. 

"You want ter see Massa, sah V 

Nothing was farther from his desires; he responded, with em- 
phasis: 

"No, I want to see you." 

"Lor, Massa, I — I — ain't done nuffinV stammered the 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 



609 



frightened negro, as the soldier in gray confronted him. 

"I am not a Eebel," the soldier went on, hurriedly, "though I 
have on a gray uniform. I am one of a party of prisoners — Yan- 
kees — that escaped from Salisbury Sunday. We have had 
nothing to eat since that time ; can you give us something ?" 

"Dar's a big party up at de house, an' — " 

"You jist shet up, ole man; I'll ten' to dat. You take dese 




Dusky Mhmtenng Angels. 

gemmen to de barn and ax 'em up inter de loft; den you kin 
come back an' ten' to tings while I git dem some supper." 

Poor old "aunty!" She had nothing but corn-bread and fresh 
pork to offer her guests; but it was given willingly, and they 
had brought that most excellent of sauces, hunger, with them. 
The food was speedily prepared, and was not long in disappear- 
ing from view, bountiful as it was. Their hunger appeased, 
they began to grow anxious to be again upon the road ; but for 
the reason that the old man had given, he would not be at liber- 
ty to act as their guide until a later hour. It was midnight be- 
fore he reappeared among them; the party at "the house" had 
dispersed, and by sacrificing some hours of his sorely needed 



610 Capture and Flight of the Correspondents, 

rest he could guide them on their way to a haven of safety. 

There was a driving rain; their boots and clothes were soak- 
ed; the roads were almost impassable; and when finally they 
gained the railroad, the rain was freezing as it fell, rendering 
the road-bed a sheet of ice, yet not making any other path firm 
enough to bear a man's weight. Once on the railroad, their 
guide left them, telling them where they could find another of 
his race, whose cabin they would reach about dawn. So slip- 
pery had the ties become that it was impossible to walk safel}', 
and many times they fell, Captain Wolfe spraining his ankle so 
severely that he required much assistance from the others. Wet 
to the skin, and nearly frozen, they stumbled on until they could 
reach the promised shelter. 

"Dai''s so many Secesh around, sahs, I reckon you all'd jist 
better go in dis barn and hide till night; and den ^'"ou kin come 
ober to de cabin to supper. It'll be ready." 

And the negro chuckled at the idea of helping these friends. 
The barn contained nothing but some damp shucks, which forni' 
ed a very uncomfortable bed; and many were the lamentations 
after the pipes, which were irrecoverably lost in the fodder. 

After a day's inaction, which did little to rest them for the 
night journey, they repaired to the negro cabin, and were re- 
galed with fried chicken and hot corn-bread. Mr. Richardson 
had been saving tea, an almost unobtainable luxury in the 
South, for more than a year, and, before starting, had filled one 
of his pockets with the results of his economy. This provided 
another luxury, and did much to make up for the restless day. 

The negroes directed them as to their next route, but, them- 
selves perfectly familiar with the country, did not think to caution 
the strangers about two places which bore the same name. As 
ill-luck would have it, they reached the wrong one, and after a 
weary journey of fifteen miles through the night, a friend (col- 
ored) informed them that they were just half a mile nearer their 
destination. This informant sheltered them through the day in 
a barn belonging to his master, a rabid Secessionist, fed them, 
and at night guided them to the place to which they had been 
directed. Then, though their boots were as stifi" as wooden 
shoes, their feet bleeding, their clothes hardly dry, their limbs 
aching, they hastened on. Only fifteen miles, and they would 
reach the settlement of which Lieut. Welborn had told them. 

Once they were compelled to apply at a roadside cabin for in- 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 611 

formation as to the route; and feared pursuit from the surly 
looking individual who responded to their call; but either they 
wronge'd him, or he lost the trail, for they were not pursued. 
Some few miles beyond his house they were more fortunate than 
they had yet been ; for the proprietor of a small ^'wayside inn" 
proved to be a Unionist, and not only sheltered and fed them, 
but lent them two mules to enable Capt. Wolfe, who was still 
suifering from his sprain, and Mr. Browne, who was too sick to 
walk, to proceed on their journey. At last, the designated set- 
tlement was reached, and, for a time, "the weary were at rest." 

Of course, they were not safe even yet; loyal as the majority 
of these people were to the Union, so that the neighborhood had 
been dubbed "The Old United States"by the Confederates, there 
were still many who, as the others phrased it, "were not of 
the right sort;" and it was necessary that the latter should not 
know of the presence of this party. Hiding alternately in the 
houses and the barns, they were cordially welcomed by their 
friends, and speedily rested and recovered so far as to be fit to 
proceed on their journey. 

Their party received an accession of three just as they were 
about to start, and not judging it as safe to travel in one large 
as two small parties, Thurston joined the new comers, and they 
went on their way, separated by a distance representing twen- 
ty-four hours' travel. 

On this, their second march, they had the advantage of start- 
ing under more favorable conditions than on the first occasion. 
Then, they had been worn by a long imprisonment, lack of ex- 
ercise and scarcity of food ; now, they had had a rest of five 
days, had been well fed during that time, and were provided 
with better clothing. But it was a far more formidable journey 
which they were to undertake. The rain had ceased, and had 
been succeeded by intense cold ; the roads, nearly impassable at 
best, had been plowed into deep ruts during the muddy 
weather, and were now frozen hard in that delightful condition. 
Nor was this the worst. Applying for information to a man to 
whom they had been recommended, they were told : 

"'Tain't no use tryin' to git to Knoxville ; it's two hundred 
miles away; nobody ever gits thar; they all git murdered on 
the way. Besides, the mountains are kivered with snow, now, 
so they could track you easy." 

There was an earnest consultation among the fugitives. 
89 



612 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 



" "We were told that we were pretty well out of danger when 
we had crossed the Yadkin/' ventured one. 
" 'Tain't so," was the curt response. 
" I guess we'll take the risk anj'how ; we must get on." 
" We'll pay liberally for a guide across the mountains." 

'' If you'll wait 
/ h A 'i — ^"""'""-v. v^iiii V\ till thesnow'sgone, 

i w 1 J 1 take you 
across/' answered 
one of the group of 
natives. 

"But what will 
we do in the mean- 
time V 

" O, you can live 
with us till then/' 
replied another. 

" Guess we'd bet- 
ter try it now." 

So that night 
they started out to 
cross the Blue 
Ridge, undeterred 
by the statement 
that the passes 
were guarded. 
They traveled only 
seven miles, when 
they were obliged 
by the intense cold 
to seek shelter in 
an open corn-crib. 
Fortunately, it be- 
longed to a Union 
man, who, discovering theii presence, invited them into his 
storehouse, and provided them with food and bedding. At this 
point they again separated into two parties, having reunited a 
shoi't time before ; and four left on the last day of 1864, the 
others waiting until the first day of 1865. 

The march across the mountains was one of almost incredible 
difficulty; through snow a foot deep, which covered an under 




I 



Fugitives Crossing the Blue Ridge. 



J 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents, 613 

coating of ice; now where the ascent was almost impossible, now 
down a slope quite precipitous. At last they, were cheered by the 
welcome intelligence that they were beyond the North Carolina 
line, that it was now safe for them to travel by daylight, and that 
their informant would himself conduct them to the bouse of a 
relative, on the banks of the "Watauga. But perhaps the most en- 
couragement was derived from the sight of several Federal sol- 
diers who were at home on furlough, and who gave them valua- 
ble information as to the position of the troops. 

" They say Dan Ellis is about to start out with a party; if yon 
can strike him you're sure of getting through safe." 

Such was the opinion universally expressed; and whatever 
may be the liability of popular opinion to error, a prophet who 
is honored in his own country must be indeed a great man. 
" Dan Ellis " bore so wide a reputation during the "War that we 
cannot pass him by with a bare mention. 

At the time of which we write, he was in the prime of life, 
and gifted with the keen senses, the temperate habits and the 
powers of endurance which we are accustomed to associate with 
the idea of a mountaineer. When the "War broke out, a number 
of the Union men of this section met for the purpose of forming 
a military organization, similar to the "Home Guards," com- 
posed of Southern men. Dispersing to their homes, after pre- 
liminaries had been arranged, for the purpose of procuring 
horses, most of them were captured by the Confederates, Ellis 
among the number. He escaped by sheer fleetness of foot, and 
for some time formed one of a party that had encamped in a 
dense laurel thicket. From time to time he revisited his home, 
secretly, of qourse; for he was not safe if his Secession neigh- 
bors knew of his presence. 

While on one of these stolen visits, in August, 1862, he learn- 
ed that an acquaintance was to conduct a party of escaped pris- 
oners across the mountains and into the Union lines, and he re- 
solved to be one of the company. Eeturning to his home in 
Carter County, he was urged to pilot another party over the 
same route, and consented to do so. From that time onward, 
he made it the business of his life. More than five thousand 
refugees owed it to him that they reached the Federal lines in 
safety; and of all who tried to make the trip under his guidance, 
only one man was lost. The Confederate Government offered a 
reward of $1,000 for his capture ; he was hunted resolutely by 



614 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 



men who knew him well, who knew equally well every foot of 
the gi'ound in that portion of the state; and yet he lived to or- 
ganize and lead a company of cavahy in the volunteer army, 
to see the end of the "War, to receive the thanks of Congress 
and a reward of $3,000 for his services, to shake hands amicably 
with the Confederate oflScer who had oftenest led the chase 
when the "Eed Fox," as they dubbed him, was the prey — a fit- 
ting end to the war record of both. And let it be remembered, 
that although Capt. Ellis was the first to ofi'er his hand, Col. 
Symonds is his historian and panegyrist. 

Such was the man to whom 
they looked for safety ; and as his 
rendezvous was known to their 
friends, they set out on the night 
of January 8th, to that place. 
Here they found fifteen or twen- 
ty more who were, like them- 
selves, waiting for the main party. 
Two hours passed away, and the 
body of fifty men came in sight — 
d eserters from the Southern army, 
conscripts who would not serve, 
citizens whose sympathies were 
with the North, Union soldiers 
who had visited their homes on 

Vapt. Dun Ellis. n \ ^ j • i j j^ • • 

'' luriough and wished to rejoin 

their regiments. To this miscellaneous company, our little group 
of friends added the one element that was lacking — escaped 
prisoners. 

Most of the party were well mounted, but the guide was on 
foot; and although they went at a round pace, he kept up with- 
out any appearance of exertion. With his rifle, repeating six- 
teen times, in his hand, he walked along easily by Mr. Richard- 
son, to whom he had loaned his own mule, answering the ques- 
tions of the latter about his own life. But much ground must be 
got over before dawn; twenty-seven miles were really accom- 
plished; and in crossing the Nolechucky, several of the party 
and most of the mules that carried the rations had been lost. 
The men were found, but the food was not. This was a serious 
loss, as it might be impossible for them to stop on the way at 
any place where they could replenish their stores; but these 




M 



i 



Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 615 

forebodings proved to be without foundation, for they scented 
no immediate danger until after this loss had been repaired. 

But danger threatened. Hardly had the difficultmarch across 
the mountains been accomplished when the rumor was heard, 
growing into sure intelligence, that squads of Confederate cav- 
alry were scouring the country in search of them. Encamped 
for the night on January 10th, Ellis received information that 
they were almost surrounded by the enemy. This made it nec- 
essary to insure the safety of a portion of the party at least, and 
those who were mounted were ordered to proceed immediately, 
and those who were on foot to follow at a safe distance. Of the 
former, Mr. Eichardson was one, while Mr. Browne made one 
of the infantry. 

The cavalry was not, as may be supposed, the less threaten- 
ed of the two; unable to take the mountain roads which the en- 
emy would find impassable for horses, they were, by the greater 
noise made in traveling and the more distinct traces, more eas- 
ily followed. Had it not been for the heroism of a woman, a pret- 
ty girl of seventeen, who guided them through the rain and 
darkness, along a devious route which was not in possession of 
the Confederates, it is probable that neither party would have 
reached the lines. 

The march had been an extremely rapid one, and under the 
new pressure of danger, many who were physically worn out, 
as well as suifering from nervous prostration from the effects of 
such exertions accompanied by so much anxiety and so many 
hardships, utterly broke down in strength or resolution, and 
turned back to the country they had desired to leave. Among 
these we may be sure that the escaped prisoners had no place. 
They could endure anything rather than return to Salisbury, 
and, though their clothes were in tatters, their boots almost 
falling from their feet, their bodies enfeebled by disease, their 
hearts sick with hope deferred, they pressed resolutely on until 
they saw the glare of the Union picket-fires reddening the hor- 
izon. 

"Halt! Who goes there?" was the challenge of the senti- 
nel on the night of January 13th. 

''Friends without the countersign — escaped from Salisbury." 

Their welcome need not here be set down j their story spread, 
and gathered details as it went, until they scarcely would have 
i-ecognized it themselves; but this narrative has been chiefly 



616 Capture and Flight of the Correspondents. 

drawn from sources which ought to be the fountain head. Much 
have we been compelled to omit; we could give but the bare 
skeleton of a history fascinating as a romance to the lover of 
adventure. 



i!>H/<PTEF{ J.YI- 



THE INSANITY DODGE. 

Necessary Precautions— Have You Seen a Horse — ^A Second Meeting— A Well 
Played Part — An Unsuccessful Search — Delivery of Dispatches. 

WHEN" the Twenty-sixth Indiana was stationed at Sedalia, 
Missouri, it became necessary to send dispatches to In- 
dependence, some ninety miles distant, near the western bound- 
ary of the state. Two privates, Marshall Storey and William 
Waters, were selected for the important duty. Their errand 
was by no means devoid of danger; for although the regular 
Confederate troops had been for some time withdrawn from that 
portion of the state, there were bands of soldiery, called by their 
enemies guerillas, and by themselves partisans, who, not strong 
enough to attack any considerable force, yet caused consider- 
able annoyance to the Federals by cutting off such parties as 
this one. 

In order to avoid such interference with their errand, the two 
soldiers had laid aside their uniforms, and assumed citizen's 
clothing. Their dispatches were carefully hidden inside the 
linings of their hats, and in the soles of their boots j the sole lin- 
ing being carefully pasted down over the flat paper. Their 
horses were provided with saddles as unlike that furnished by 
the government as could be procured. Thus accoutered, they 
set out on their ride, looking for all the world like two well-to- 
do young farmers, bound on some distant errand. 

They had traveled nearly seventy miles in a time that, to the 
dweller in the mountainous regions, would seem incredibly 

short; but 

" The prairie stretched as smooth as a floor 
As far as the eye could see;" 

G17 



618 The Insanity Dodge, 

there was nothing to impede their progress over that level 
and seemingly limitless plain. Indeed, it was a little easier than 
they could wish for, for they could be seen from a great distance, 
and discovery might lead to attack. However, they calmed all 
such vain imaginings, and rode on. At last, some twenty miles 
from Independence, they entered a grove which bordered the 
stream. The underbrush was so thick that they could hardly 
force their way through it, along the bridle-path, which, appa- 
rently, was but little used. As they pushed their way through, 
they were suddenly confronted by five of the enemy, each arm- 
ed with a shot-gun. 

"What's your business here?" demanded one who appeared 
to be the leader of the squad. 

"We're out looking for a horse that was carried off by the 
Home Guards, sir. We heard that it had been brought along 
through this part of the country." 

" Where do you live ?" 

"Six miles north of Boonville." 

" Who are you for ?" was the next demand; meaning, in the 
parlance of the time, "What are your political sentiments ?" 

"Well, sir," was the deliberate answer, "I don't know that 
you'll find anybody that's stronger Secesh than I am, and my 
friend here is of my way of thinking." 

There was a short consultation among the partisans, a strict 
watch being meanwhile kept upon the two "farmers." Then 
the result of this council of war was communicated briefly to the 
latter; they might be good " Secesh," but then again they might 
not; and their captors thought it best to search them. Eesist- 
ance was of course worse than useless, and the two messengers 
quietly submitted to the search ; though protesting their strong 
Southern sympathies, their services already rendered to the 
Confederacy, and their intention to join Price as soon as it would 
be possible to get to him. All the time, they devoutly hoped 
that no evil genius would prompt the Eebs to explore the in- 
most recesses of hats and boots. At last, however, the search 
was concluded, and the dispatches were not found; their place 
of hiding had not even been suspected. 

"Sorry to have searched you, gentlemen," apologized the 

leaders, "but the d d Yankees are up to so many tricks that 

we can never tell when to believe what a man says." 

The messengers gravely acknowledged the apology, and the 



The Insanity Bodge. 619 

two parties separated. The Federals began to congratulate 
themselves upon their lucky escape, with the loss of nothing 
more valuable than a number of fish-hooks, which one of them 
had chanced to have in his pocket, and which the Butternuts 
had appropriated; they would probably reach Independence 
unmolested, they said one to the other; for they had already 
come five miles from the scene of the encounter with the gueril- 
las, and had but fifteen more to go. But even while they were 
thus congratulating themselves, a new danger was approaching. 
Crossing a neck of woods, they had just emerged upon the open 
prairie again when they saw seven horsemen riding toward 
them, and heard the command to halt. The new comers were but 
fifty yards away. 

"I'll play crazy," whispered Storey, hurriedly, to his compan- 
ion; and you can be my brother taking me home from St. 
Louis." 

Drawing one eye down in a manner peculiar to himself, his 
face assumed a comical expression ; the saliva was allowed to 
flow down upon his dusty beard, while the ragged locks of hair 
that strayed down nearly into his eyes completed the picture. 
As they came nearer, he leaj)ed from his horse and ran toward 
them. 

" Don't mind him, "called Waters, as some of the Butternuts 
drew their pistols; "he's crazy as a loon." 

Storey bore out this description by his behavior; with the pe- 
culiarly gentle, pitiful smile of a half-witted person, he caressed 
their horses, fingered their weapons admiringly, and seemed to 
endeavor, in many ways, to win their good graces. The men 
Jooked on him with a sort of good-natured content; he was too 
evidently the genuine article for them to entertain any suspi- 
cions regarding him, at least. On his companion, however, they 
looked with less confidence. 

"Where did you come from, and where are you going?" de- 
manded the leader. 

"I've come from St. Louis just now, with my brother, here," 
replied Waters; "he's been in the Insane Asylum there, but there 
wasn't any use of keeping him shut up, and we hated to have 
him so far away in war times. There's no telling what may hap- 
pen." 

Storey had been busily caressing a beautiful black pony, rid- 
den by one of the Eebs. He appeared to understand dimly that 



020 



The Insanity Dodge 



he was tlio subject of which his brother was speaking, and look- 
ed around upon all present with a vacant smile on his face. 
"Where do you live?" 

**In Jackson county, just this side of the Kansas border." 
But the more serious part of the proceedings was here stop- 
ped, to witness Storey's performances ; after much petting of 
the pony, ho suddenly left it and went up to his own poor 
old horse. The animal, almost broken down, was gravely led 




The Insane Dodge. 

up to the rider of the pon}', whom the "crazy man" invited to^ 
exchange. The whole proceeding was watched witli much in- 
terest on the part of the other six. 

" D d if I trade horses with you," exclaimed the rider of 

the pony. 

" Just see what he'll do," said the captain to the other. The 
man somewhat reluctantly dismounted, and Store}^ with manj- 
brokcn exclamations of delight, mounted the pony and was about 
to ride off. But the Butternut was not at all willing that the 
fun should go any farther at his expense, and running after 
Storey, pulled him roughly from the saddle. The better to act 
out his assumed character, the Federal turned furiously upon 
the other, and was about to fight him. The Confederate retreat- 



The Insanity Dodge. 621 

ed at a somewhat rapid pace to his comrades. After him went 
the pretended simple follow, who grasped a stick as he ran, and 
the owner of the pony came dangerously near being belabored. 

In the meantime, the sport had palled somewhat, and they had 
turned to more serious business. Waters was subjected to what 
they called a thorough search, but which was not so thorough as 
they supposed, as the dispatches wholly escaped their observa- 
tion. Of course it was useless to search a manjust released from 
the Insane Asylum, and who appeared not to have sense enough 
to be intrusted with any secret or anything of importance. 
Having made sure that there was nothing contraband about Wa- 
ters, they turned to watch, with an appreciative eye, the contest 
which Storey was still waging for the possession of the coveted 
pony; urging him onto fight very much as they might have in- 
cited a game-cock or a bull-dog. 

" Don't provoke him, please," pleaded the brother^ " it only 
makes him worse; and he may get so furious there'll be no do- 
ing anything with him. Come, Billy, get on your horse and let's 
go home. This is your horse, you know." 

But Billy would not, and it was only by the assistance of one 
of the Butternuts that his brother was able to get him away from 
the pony, and on his own steed. The Confederates left them to 
take their way onward, and rode off in an easterly direction; 
frequently looking back to see if the ''crazy fellow" had any no- 
tion of coming after the pony to which he had taken such a fan- 
cy. But with the fickleness of his kind, he seemed to have been 
■pacified by some of the glowing promises of which his brother 
!aad, even in their presence, been lavish ; at any rate, he seemed 
to have given up the idea of gettingthe animal. Had they known 
that when once the two were fairly out of sight, he would brush 
his hair from his forehead, and in all other ways lay aside his 
insanity, and gallop off at full speed, they might have been even 
more sure. But of course, they had no means of knowing this and 
the two messengers reached Independence in safety. 



5::haptei^ l^ll 



WHEELER'S CAVALRY ESCAPADES. 

Stage of the War — Gen. "Wheeler's Determination — A Companion — Swimming thy 
Peedee — An Uninvited Comrade — An Earnest Appeal — A Borrowed Name— 
" Sam. Johnson" — A Hearty Welcome — Sam's Bashfulness — A Sudden Alarm — 
Unfounded Anxiety — " Scare 'em out of their Boots" — Signs of the Enemy — 
The Bugler — Eetreat of the Enemy — Incidents of the Pursuit — Advance of Gen. 
Hampton. 

THE War was nearly at an end, though few men had the wis- 
dom to see it J Southerners fought on with a dogged cour- 
age that would not acknowledge defeat, while the Northerners 
had so often had their hopes raised by false prophets that they 
would believe nothing until it was proven. Perhaps the only 
man who fully foresaw the end was the one whose name has 
come to be a synonym for silence which occasionally is broken 
by brief but significant speeches ; we say perhaps, for it may be 
that the great general who was to be conquered saw it as clear- 
ly as the great general who was to be victor in the struggle. 

But though they might not be able to predict the end exactly, 
there was not a man in the Confederate army who did not look 
forward with anxiety; knowing, as each one did, the extreme 
poverty of the South in men and in all kinds of supplies. Sher- 
man had captured Atlanta after its long siege, and had made his 
famous ''March to the Sea;" Fort McAlister had fallen, and the 
city which it defended. Savannah, was in his victorious hands. 
Matters had a serious look to the Confederates, then, when, one 
day in February, 1865, Gen. "Wheeler and Gen. Hampton sat on 
their horses some little distance from their escorts, and discuss- 
ed their plans for the futu?'e. The two generals had massed 
their forces near Arnold's Mill, on the bank of the Peedee; and 
622 



Wheeler's Cavalry Escapades. 



623 




4/ 'J 

Ge>i. Wade Hampton. 



before any further move, advance or retrograde, could be made 
with safety, a careful reconnoissance was necessary. They 
talked with great earnestness, and for some time; at last, it 
seemed as if one were urging some plan which the other did not 
think prudent. Many minutes passed in argument, and at last 
Gen. Hampton assented to what Gen. "Wheeler proposed. Thus 
ending the conference, the two generals rode towards their 
forces again, and Gen. Wheeler sent for Col. Anderson, of the 
F'ourth Tennessee Cavalry. 

"Colonelfl want one of your best 
men to go across the river with me 
on a little scout." 

" Very well, sir," replied the 
subordinate ; and turning, he beck- 
oned to his orderly, whom he di- 
rected to send James B. Nance, the 
bugler of the regiment, to him. 
The soldier soon made his appear- 
ance, and, saluting, stood waiting 
to hear the duty to which he was 
to be assigned. 

"Nance, Gen. Wheeler wants a trusty man to cross the river 
with him ; will you go V 

"I am ready for any orders, sir," was the reply. 
''Wait here a moment, then," directed the general, "until I 
liave put on a private's coat. Gen. Hampton insists very strong- 
ly upon it, and I supj^ose he is right." 

Nance simply handed his bugle to a comrade and was ready; 
Gen. Wheeler was not much longer in making his preparations, 
and they mounted and set out. The river was swollen by the 
copious winter rains, and the current was swift and strong; but 
they plunged boldly in. Two hundred yards from the shore 
was an island, and to this they directed their course, in order 
that their horses might have as much rest as possible. Mean- 
while, in some inexplicable way, the purpose of their expedi- 
tion had become generally known in the army, and as they 
swam through the deep water, their progress was intently watch- 
ed by thousands of eager eyes ; they gained the island, their 
horses struggled to land, and cheer after cheer was heard from 
the shore. 

"I can't stand it any longer," exclaimed one soldier, whose 



624 Wheeler's Cavalry Escapades. 

name has not come down to us ; "discipline or no discipline, I 
am going to make one of them." 

And he spurred his horse into the stream, determined to join 
the scouts. His determination was not seen by the latter as 
they rested a few moments on the island ; and regardless of the 
reinforcement that was coming up, they again plunged into the 
water, steering towards a second island, two or three hundred 
yards further on. But they were now in the very channel of 
the stream, where the water was the deepest, and the current 
swiftest and strongest.* So irresistible was it, that Nance was 
swept from the saddle, and could only save himself from drown- 
ing by catching hold of his horse's tail. The animal, nothing 
disturbed by this unusual mode of guidance, swam as straight 
for the island as if his rider had still held the reins. He scram- 
bled upon the shore, and pulled his rider once more to dry land. 

As they paused hero for a brief breathing spell, they saw, foi 
the first time, the soldier who was so resolved to join them, an4 
halted longer than they intended in order to allow him to comr 
up with them. His horse ''breasted the current like a tug," 
says Mr. Nance, from whose account our facts are chiefly de- 
rived, and it was not long before he had overtaken the two whom 
he wished to join. 

"I couldn't help it. General, I had to come. Of course, if you 
say so, I'll go back, but I do want to go with you, sir." 

The officer smiled at the earnestness of the appeal as he an- 
swered : 

"Oh, no, I wouldn't have you go back for the world; come 
right on, and we'll make the scout with three instead of two." 

" I know two are company" — began the new comer again. 

" But three don't make a crowd. Is your horse rested ? If it 
is, we'll make for the third island over there." 

"Oh, he's all right; ready for anything, General," answered 
the trooper, patting the horse's neck aifectionately. 

" I don't know ; he looks tired," said Nance ; "anyhow, Gener- 
al, I wish, before we go in again, you would tell us what to do in 
case of capture." 

"Get away again, I reckon, would be the best thing under 
such circumstances. That's general, however; what was it par- 
ticularly that you wanted to know ?" 

" In case we were to be captured, if they knew you to be Gen. 
Wheeler, they'd watch us so close we wouldn't have any chance 



Wheeler's Cavalry Escapades. 



625 



to get away. You've put on a private's coat so as not to attract 

their attention ; why not assume another name ?" 

" That's well thought of, Nance ; can you suggest a good 

name ? One that would not sound as if it were assumed," 

*' Well, I suppose a real name would sound the most real. Sam 

Johnson's a good fellow; suppose you borrow his." 

"All right. Sam Johnson — that certainly sounds like the real 

thing. I suppose he would have no objections to lending his 

name." 

" I know he wouldn't, 

General, when you want to 

borrow." 

" All right, then, Sara 

Johnson I'll be for the 

present. Now, we'd better 

go on to the third island." 

As he rode into the water 

the other two followed 

y i%««^?p^""^ '^ ' 7^j^ss^«\ closely behind him. The 

/ '^^yi^^^^^^s ^ t^w 'I ^^^^^ island was reached, 

^i^^v^^MLii^^" ^ . .-^»^ and after another short 

halt, they started upon the 
home stretch, and finally 
stood upon the farther 
shore of the Peedee. 
Plunging into the deep woods which here skirted the stream, 
they went on for some distance before reaching the road ; but 
fortunately had not far to go before coming to a house. 

''Ill stand picket in the road, boys," said Gen. "Wheeler, 
" while you go to the house and get some dry clothes ; and then 
you can do the same for me." 

"O, no. General, you must go first, and then we can go." 
But to this the officer would not listen, and the men were fin- 
ally obliged to consent to his plans. No difficulty was experi- 
ienced, as the people living in the house were strong Secession- 
ists ; the three scouts were accorded as hearty a welcome as 
could have been given to Gen. Wheeler or any other officer in 
propria persona, and they were regaled with an excellent supper. 
After leaving the table, the young ladies, of whom there were 
several in the house (as often happened in those days, there were 
none but ladies and children at home) urged the guests to sing — 




Gen. Joseph Wheeler. 



626 Wheeler's Cavalry Escapades, 

anything so it was Southern, for they were ardent Bebels. "With 
characteristic gallantry, the soldiers urged the ladies to sing 
first, and several ballads of the time were given by them in fine 
style — from "Dixie" to the "Homespun Dress." 

"Now you must sing," the ladies urged; "we've done our 
part, and you promised, you know." 

Accordingly, Nance sat down to the piano, and thrumming 
an accompaniment, gave them the song, especially popular with 
this command, and called "Wheeler's Cavalry." 

" O, that's splendid," they exclaimed, with one voice; "now 
won't yon please sing us another ?" 

"Well, the fact is, ladies, I only sang to redeem my promise. 
I was almost ashamed to utter a note in the presence of the best 
singer in the army." 

" The best singer in the army !" they cried excitedly; "which 
is it?" 

"My friend, Mr. Johnson, has that reputation. Come, Sam, 
don't be so modest. You know you are called so, and there's 
reason for the name." 

But " Sam Johnson" blushed like a girl, and earnestly denied 
the soft impeachment; the ladies of course set all his denials 
down to the account of modesty, or rather, bashfulness, and only 
urged him the more; while Nance now and then threw in a few 
words that encouraged them the more. For some time this went 
on, the two soldiers greatly enjoying the fun ; until Nance, seeing 
that it had gone far enough, turned to the piano with a sigh : 

"I'm sorry he won't sing, ladies, but he always is bashful 
about it. If you'll accept of a very poor substitute, I'll do the 
best in my power." 

The ladies hastened to assure him that while they would like 
very much to hear the best singer in the army, they did not con- 
sider him a bad substitute. Thus reassured, he began the " Bon- 
nie Blue Flag" ; but suddenly stopped, as, in the pauses of the 
music, his quick ear caught the sounds of horses' feet. His two 
companions heard it at the same moment, and hastily putting an 
end to the music and conversation, they sprang to the door. 
Listening attentively for a few minutes, in order to ascertain in 
what direction the horsemen were going, and finding that they 
seemed to be approaching the house, Nance said, hurriedly: 

"Stay here, Sam, and I'll go down to the road and hail them. 
I'll talk loud enough for you to hear, and if they're Yanks, 



Wheeler's Cavalry Escapades. 



627 



you'll soon know it. Be ready for action, whoever they are." 

" Without waiting for a reply, he bounded down the steps 
and to the fence which separated the garden from the road." 

" Hallo ! What command is that?" he called, as they rode up. 

" Wheeler's Scouts," was the reply. 

" Who is in command V 

" Captain Shannon," answered that officer, whom Nance at 
once recognized. 




"The best singei m the army." 



" Ride up a little nearer the fence, won't you. Captain ?" 
"Is it Mr. Nance of the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry?" 
"Yes, sir; are you on urgent business to-night?" 
" Yes J you see, Gren. Wheeler came over to this side of the riv- 
er on a scout to-day, and as he had no escort, G-en. Hampton be- 
came anxious as to his safety and dispatched me with eight 
men to ascertain his whereabouts." 

" Well, there's no need for Gen. Hampton's anxiety; for our 
general is in the house here." 

" In the house ? You don't say so \" And in an instant every 
one of the scouts was off his horse and making a bee-line for 
the house-door. As they entered, and saw that their command- 
40 



628 Wheeler's Cavalry Escapades. 

er, of whose safety they had entertained such doubts, was 
really before them, military discipline and etiquette were thrown 
to the four winds of heaven. 

" Grlad to see you, General V 

''How are you, General?" 

" 'Eah for the General I" 

Meanwhile the ladies stared in wonder, to hear that the "bash- 
ful Mr. Johnson " was a real live general ; and their wonder was 
only increased by learning that it was the dashing cavalry offi- 
cer with whose name they were so familiar. The scouts, thus in- 
creased in number to twelve, were hospitably entertained for the 
night, and bidden God-speed on their departure in the morning. 
One of the new comers was provided with a bugle, which, at Gen. 
Wheeler's desire, he gave up to the bugler of the Fourth Tennes- 
see. 

" Take it, Nance, and when we come upon the enemy sound it 
long and loud, so as to scare 'em out of their boots with the 
noise." 

"All right, sir ; I'll do my best with it." 

Gen. Wheeler and Captain Shannon rode in front, a few paces 
before the main body of the little force. Orders had been given 
that, as soon as they came in sight of the enemy, the scouts were 
to charge and rout them — the latter part of the order being 
given with as much earnestness as the former, as if the routing 
were a matter entirely under the control of the assaulting party. 
They rode on for about five miles without seeing any sign of 
the enemy's presence save the devastation of the country which 
always accomj)anies war. The scouts, indeed, were beginning to 
be impatient, for they had expected to get a sight of the blue- 
coats before that. At last, however, the general halted as he 
came to a point where the road forked, and turning in his saddle, 
beckoned to his men. With joyful haste they put spurs to their 
horses and rode forward. 

The sight which they saw was one to strike terror even to a 
brave heart. Drawn up in line of battle in the road before them, 
was a force of Yankees far outnumbering their own little party — 
the dark blue of the blouses lightened by the gleam of the guns. 
But even if they had been disposed to draw back, their leader 
left them no alternative. He signaled to Nance to sound the 
charge; the notes of the bugle rang out, sharp and clear, upon 
the wintry morning; the Federals had no intimation that an en- 



Wheeler's Cavalry Escapades. 



629 



emy was near, and when the handful of scouts charged upon them, 
they were taken entirely by surprise. The Confederates, bent 
upon making their numbers seem as great as possible, rode on- 
ward with the true Rebel 3"ell, repeated as many times as human 
lungs would allow. The Federal officers, rapidly comprehend- 
ing the fact that they were beset by the enemy in unknown 
strength, gave the order to fire; but though the men were armed 
with seven-shooting carbines, the bullets flew over the heads of 
the rapidly advancing cavalry. Onward, onward, came the 




Following the Bugle. 

Eebs, and at the shock of the onset the blue line wavered, broke, 
and was soon in full retreat. 

"Blow like the devil, Nance!" shouted the Confederate officer, 
above the din of the charge. And asTie sounded the charge again 
and again, the Yanks, fully convinced that their assailants far 
outnumbered them, moved onward all the faster to some haven 
of safety. So the chase went on, until the Southerners found 
themselves in a slight hollow, whence they could not see the re- 
treating column of the enemy. Here they scattered, each man to 
pursue the scattered fugitives as well as possible, leaving the main 
column to its chances of safety, as it was too strong for them to 
attack in earnest. Here and there, a Confederate would over- 



630 Wheeler's Cavalry Escapades. 

take a blue-coat, evidently utterlj^ demoralized Ly the sudden- 
ness of the late attack. Such, at least, was the experience of 
our doughty bugler, who, having fully tested the powers of 
sound, was now anxious to strike some blows for the cause in 
which he was engaged. 

Exploring a small passage around the hill, communicating 
with the hollow in which they then were, he came, somewhat 
suddenly, upon two Yanks, one of whom was riding a mule. 

''Halt! Surrender!" 

The summons met with no response from those addressed; and 
the Reb, resolved that they should not thus escape him, emptied 
a barrel of his revolver at them. The mounted man rolled from 
his saddle with a bullet through his brain, while the other, to 
whose fears this lent new wings, ran on with redoubled speed. 
Knowing that the first was safe, Nance pursued the other at full 
speed. His horse struggled bravely up the hill, and at last he 
was in the little grove that crowned its summit. Unwilling to 
pause, even to give the noble animal the moment's rest which 
was so much needed, he had struck his spurs afresh into the 
quivering flanks, when he saw, on the summit of the next hill, 
within easy range, the whole Federal line drawn up anew, as 
they had been across the road. He had been so keen in his 
pursuit of the fugitive that he had not, until that moment, per- 
ceived the hornet's nest into which he had rushed; but fortunate- 
ly, he was quick in conception as in action ; a touch upon the 
rein, and he had wheeled his horse, the spurs only serving to urge 
him in the contrary direction from that in which the rider had 
intended to go. Riding back to G-en. Wheeler, he rejiorted his 
adventure, and the success with which he had met. 

"Did you get the gun of the Yankee you shot ?" 

"No, sir, I had no need for it, and could not well carry it." 

"I wish you would get it for me, will you?" 

"Certainly." 

He returned in a few minutes with the gun, and, by Gen. 
Wheeler's order, the whole little force set out for the Peedee 
again, for there was of course imminent danger of capture. The 
Federals, perceiving no signs that the attack was to be renewed, 
took fresh courage, and sent forward a few men to ascertain the 
intentions of the enemy. Having thus learned something of the 
strength of the assaulting party, and that it was in full retreat, 
they hastily advanced in the direction advised by those officers 



I 



Wheeler's Cavalry Escapades. 631 

who had made the reeonnoissance. The Confederates, though 
unaware that such a movement had actually taken place, were 
yet alarmed lest the enemy might determine upon it, and re- 
treated at full speed to the river. But they were not destined 
to swim the swift waters as they had done on the previous day, 
for Gen. Hampton, in the absence of the information which Gen. 
Wheeler had wished to procure, and fearing that the latter offi- 
cer might have been captured, had put his corps in motion and 
crossed the river early that morning. The little body of scouts 
had ridden scarcely two miles before they met the advance- 
guard, and, hurrying rearward, each man was soon in his place. 
Although there was but little, if any, information or advant- 
age gained by this scout, it had this one point in its favor : there 
was nothing lost. In spite of their furious charge upon the su- 
perior force of Federals, there was not one of their number hurt 
by the bullets, that, for a few minutes, rained about them. 
"When, therefore, we admire and wonder at the daring of an offi- 
cer who, with so small an escort, penetrated even so short a dis- 
tance into the enemy's country, our ardor is not damped by 
the reflection that he sacrificed human life to his audacity. 



f!HAPTEE^ J.YIII- 



DESTROYING THE ENEMY'S STORES. 

The Deserter's Information — Wouldn't be Outdone — The Invitation Accepted — 
The Departure from Camp — Pompey's Distrust — At the Point Threatened — 
Access to the House — Enemies Near — Caution — The Powder Securely Dis- 
posed of — A Sudden Attack —A Desperate Struggle — Victory — Rapid Re- 
treat — Pompey's Dismay. 

iinr SAY, L /' said a Fire Zouave in the Army of thePoto- 

1 mac, as he looked cautiously about him to see that there 
were no eaves-droppers near "let's go on a little private raid. 
What do you say ?" 

"Well, I don't know," was the reply, in a doubtful tone ; 
"what kind of a raid ? Where to ?" 

"Well, there was a deserter brought in last night — not one of 
our men, but from over there" — and he jerked his thumb in the 
direction of the Confederate lines. "He said as how there was a 
right smart sight of ammunition where it wouldn't be so orful 
hard to get." 

"Whereabouts?" demanded the other, his interest now fully 
aroused. 

"Do you want to go?" the first replied, Yankee fashion. 

"Well, if it ain't too much pork for a shilling, I guess I'll go. 
But are you sure the ammunition is really there ? Who did he 
tell?" 

"Me. I treated him. Had some of that whisky left we got 

when we raided that Eebel house over in county. Tell 

you what, that ex-Eeb knows a thing or two about liquor, he 
does that." 

"They all do, hang 'em, and they all get it, too, by some hook 
or crook. But are you sure he ain't a foolin' you, now?" 



Destroying the Enemy's Stores. 633 

"He swore it was so, anyhow, and he's on his good behavior 
now, you know — just converted. Talking about conversion, did 
you hear what Col. C said the other day V 

"That profane old fellow, that cusses oftener than he breathes ? 
No." 

''"Well, you know how Chaplain M is always talking pious; 

so the other day he goes to Col. C 's tent, and begins to talk 

to him about the wonderful piety of the th Massachusetts — 

ten men had been baptized, and so on. Well, the old fellow got 
disgusted at that, and ripped out an oath that made the chap- 
lain's hair stand on end. Then he turned around to his order- 
ly and told him to have fifteen men detailed for baptism right 
away — he wasn't going to be outdone by any d d Massachu- 
setts regiment in the army. The orderly told me that." 

''Is that the way your ex-Eeb was converted ?" 

"No, I guess not. He was a loyal man living within the Eebel 
lines, and got conscripted ; so he deserted just as soon as he got 
a chance. I guess he's all right. But if you ain't willing to 
risk it, I can get some one else to go with me," replied the 
Zouave, turning away. 

"Hold on ; I didn't say that I wouldn't go, did I?" 

"N — no, not exactly." 

"I'll go, of course, and thank you for the invitation. But 
can't you tell a fellow some particulars ?" 

"It's ball-cartridges, and there's several thousand of them. 
They're in a room in the second story of that big house the oth- 
er side of the woods — you know the one I mean?" 

"Yes, the old fellow's Secesh — some of the boys say he's a 
spy." 

"That's the one. Now, we'll get hold of a horse and wagon, 
and we'll put it safely away till sunset. Then we'll go and get 
it without letting the other fellows know what we are about, or 
they'll all want to go along, and that would spoil the fun. We'll 
drive up pretty near the house, and hide the wagon until we get 
it^lled." 

"But where is the wagon ?" 

"Trust me to attend to that," answered the Zouave with a 
mysterious wink, and a knowing look. 

"And, granting that you get the wagon and we get there all 
right, how are you going to get the bags in the wagon without 
bein^ seen?" 



634 Destroying the Enemy^s Stores, 

"Don't you want to go?" 

"Oh, yes, of course." 

•'Well, then" — and here followed a succession of nods and 
winks and gestures which were very expressive, but which can 
hardly be put on paper. In a few more words, the rendezvous 
was appointed, and with a caution to his companion "not to let 
the other fellows get wind of it," the Zouave strolled away. 

So careless was the demeanor of both during the afternoon that 
there was no suspicion aroused in the minds of "the other fel- 
lows," and the Zouave sauntered carelessly out of camp towards 
a hill that reared its tree-crowned summit at a short distance. 

A short time afterward, and just as the sun was setting, L 

followed him to the same point by a slightly different route; 
for just beyond this hill was the rendezvous. The Zouave had 

arrived at the given point some time before L came up, and 

was actually in possession of the horse and wagon. Perched on 
the seat, with the lines in his hand, he was emitting clouds of 
smoke from his short clay pipe, and holding converse with a 
negro who stood near. The latter's dusky face expressed con- 
siderable anxiety, 

"N"ow, mind, Pompey, you must come back here to this very 
spot at this time to-morrow night, to get your horse and wagon 
and the money we're going to pay you for the use of it," 

"Will de waggin be hyar, sah ?" 

"Will the wagon be here? Why, of course it will, or I wouldn't 
tell you to come after it." 

"An' de hoss too, sah ?" 

"Of course. What do you mean ?" 

"Nuffin, sah ; but if hit's all de same, couldn't you pay me 
now?" 

"Pompey, you insult me" — very indignantly — "do you mean 
that you think I don't intend to pay you ? Tell me quick." (A 
severe frown.) 

"Oh, no, sah, no sah" — hastily — "I jist — well, now, you know, 
sah, sometimes de sogers dey go out all gay and smilin' like cfe 
flower ob de field and de}'' come back like de grass dat's cut 
down and cast into de oben. Now ef you was to do like dat, 
sah, and not come back nebber no more, I wouldn't hab de wag- 
gin, and I wouldn't hab de hoss, and I wouldn't git de money." 

"But we ain't that kind, Pompey; we never turn up missing ; 
why, we've both been soldiers a long time now, and we never 



Destroying the Enemy's Stores. 



635 



got killed yet. It seems to me you are unnecessarily anxious." 
Pompey looked doubtful, as if he did not more than half be- 
lieve the speaker ; and the soldier went on i 

"Now see here ; we came down here to fight for your freedom 
and it's a darned shame if you can't trust us one day and night 
with your old horse and wagon. I could pay you now just as 
easy as not, and I would if you hadn't behaved so awful mean 
about it; but now, I won't. And if you follow us one single 
step, I'll hang you high as Haman — hang you up by your wool, 




Pompey' s Anxiety. 

and let you hang there until it's so straight it will never be 
kinky again." 

The words were uttered with most impressive earnestness, as 
the speaker glanced at a coil of rope that lay at his feet, as if 
the instrument of torture were all ready for the proposed use. 
The darkey felt the threatened wool tenderly, and then con- 
cluded to scratch his head. Apparently, that operation exerted 
a quieting injfluence, for he replied : 

"Berry well, boss; jist as you say, sah. I'll be hyar." 
They drove rapidly away, and before very long, were within 
a short distance of the house where the ammunition was stored. 
The stroll from the camp to the rendezvous had taken consider- 
able time, as both were desirous of appearing to have no object 



636 Destroying the Enemy's Stores. 

in view ; and to preserve this appearance, they were obliged to 
turn aside several times from the more direct course. Some few 
minutes had been consumed in convincing Pompey that it was 
all right, and some in the drive; so that, although they set out 
at sunset, it was pitch dark when they arrived at the clump of 
trees in which the horse and wagon were to be hidden. 

"We're about two hundred yards from the house. See that 
light? That's in the room just under the one where the ammu- 
nition is," whispered the Zouave. 

They stole cautiously towards the house, keeping the light 
steadily in view ; for it was their only guide through the intense 
darkness. Not a sound was made by them, save when a twig 
cracked under the foot, and the soldier muttered a curse upon 
his own awkwardness. At last the distance was traversed, and 
they were directly under the window from which the light was 
visible. The sill was about five feet from the ground, so that 
they must crouch down in order to avoid being seen from the 
inside. There they lay, the darkness around them so intense 
that neither could see the other, but each could only assure him- 
self of his comrade's presence by touch. Here they must remain 
until it was safe to try for the upper part of the house. 

Suddenly there was a commotion within the room; the tread 
of heavy boots was heard, and deep, strong voices spoke ; then 
there was the clang of metal, and the soldiers without knew that 
those within had laid aside their arms. Confederate soldiers, 
evidently, as their host was a strong Secessionist. The window 
above the heads of the two Federals was half open, and every 
sound inside could be plainly heard outside, and vice versa. 
With sharpened ears the two concealed men waited to hear what 
was said within, but soon found that the visitors were not come 
on any particular business, but appeared to be relatives and 
friends of the family. 

"Better go now, I guess," whispered the Zouave to his com- 
panion. 

But as they were about to rise, L , whose limbs were 

cramped by remaining so long in one uncomfortable position, 
felt his foot slip aside ; he fell heavily upon his comrade, his 
shoe making a loud crunching noise on the gravel. The men 
within were instantly alarmed by the sound, and hastily rushed 
to the window. The sash was thrown up as far as it would go, 
and several of them, leaning far out, peered into the dark©ess. 



Destroying the JEnemy's Stores. 637 

The Federals could see the gleam of their long knife-blades, as 
they held the bowies, the only weapon they had not laid aside, 
ready for use. But the two blue-coats crouched lower and near- 
er to the wall, and were not discerned in the darkness. The 
Confederates finally concluded that the noise resulted from some 
innocent cause, and drew in their heads; half closing the win- 
dow as before. The Federals once more breathed easily, and 
replaced their revolvers, which they had held cocked and aimed 
at two of the Confederates above them. 

This unfortunate occurrence, of course, obliged them to lie 
still for some time longer, as the slightest noise would again 
arouse the suspicions of the Southerners ; and the Yankees knew 
that if they were caught, they would be hanged as spies. But as 
they heard the conversation in the room above them turned to 
other subjects than the noise, the Zouave grasped his comrade's 
arm, and, in a whisper, desired him to follow him closely. Still 
crouching so that their heads were scarcely four feet above the 
ground, they crept slowly and cautiously to the angle of the 
house. On this side, even more care must be observed, for the 
door must be found without making the least noise with the 
latch. With many careful gropings the Zouave at last found the 
entrance, which was provided with one of the old-fashioned 
latches now used only for stores and outbuildings. 

"Take off your shoes and carry them," he whispered, "for if 
we leave them here some one might find them." 

In a few moments they were both shoeless, and then he care- 
fully lifted the latch, and guiding his comrade into the passage, 
they stole up stairs, groping their way as they went. The Zou- 
ave had assured L that he was familiar with the arrange- 
ment of the house, and his conduct now justified the assertion; 
for not a misstep did he make, and although their advance must 
be slow, he went straight to the door of the room in which the 
ammunition was said to be stored. 

"It's locked I" whispered the Zouave, with an oath, as he tried 
the door. "Unless we can get into that room we'll have had 
the whole trip for nothing." 

"But how can we get in?" 

"Let's try this window. The piazza runs clear around the 
house, and is covered all the way ; so that there must be a win- 
dow in that room opening on the roof." 

"Suppose it should be fastened ?" 



638 Destroying the Enemy's Stores. 

''Suppose it shouldn't," was the reply, as savagely as caution 
would permit. "I guess we can try it, anyhow." 

Fortunately, the heat had been so great that most of the win- 
dows in the house had been left open. Climbing out that which 
opened from the hallway, they walked carefully along the roof 
of the piazza, keeping as near the house as possible, and crouch- 
ing so that it would be difficult to see them, even in less intense 
darkness, from below. So the next window was reached, the 
one which opened into the room they so much wished to enter. 
Fortunately, it was raised ; and after pausing a moment to list- 
en, lest there should be danger approaching, they clambered in. 
The interior of the room, like the halls and the outer air, was 
pitch dark ; and they dared not even strike a match, lest the 
glimmer of the flame should betray them. Unacquainted with 
the appearance of the room, they did not even know if there was 
any furniture in it; much less what articles there might be, or 
where they might be placed. Every foot of the floor must be 
carefully felt, until they should find the canvas bags; and that 
without alarming the enemies in the room beneath them. 

Creeping slowly and silently over the floor, they came at last 
upon the heap; and the bags were removed, two at a time, to 
theroof of the piazza just below the window where they had en- 
tered. Then, retiring some distance from this point, they held 
a whispered consultation : 

"What do you think about it, L ?" asked the Zouave, some- 
what anxiously. "Do you think we can get the bags down to the 
wagon ?" 

"No, I don't ; we'll be caught just as sure as we make so many 
trips. We might carry some off"." 

"But we waiit to get all." 

"Yes, but we can't." 

"The next best thing to carrying them all off" would be to keep 
the enemy from using the stuff; don't you think so?" 

"Oh, yes, of course." 

"Well, then, listen. There's a deep well right down at this 
corner of the piazza. If you can lower those bags to me, I'll 
drop them in," 

"All right. How will you get down ?" was the response. 

"This way;" and the Zouave, who had worn around his neck 
that very coil of rope with which he had so terribly threatened 
the darkey, took off the necktie, and fastened one end of it to the 



640 



Destroying the Enemy* s Stores. 




Destroying the HJfiemy's Stores. 641 

piazza. "With an injunction to his comrade to haul up the loose 
end as soon as he should be down, and to lower the bags by 
means of the rope, he rapidly descended. In a moment's time 
he was down, and the rope was drawn up. The bags were lowered 
cautiously, and dropped into the well one by one. They had 
thought that perhaps the splashing with which the heavy- 
weights fell into the water would attract the attention of the en- 
emy ; but it appeared that the latter were too far off to hear the 
noise. 

The last bag was lowered, and as the Zouave dropped it into the 
well, both he and his companion felt fervently grateful that they 

had not been discovered. L was about to descend, when, 

without a moment's warning, he found himself in the grasp of a 
powerful antagonist, who had approached him unheard while he 
bent all his attention to lowering the bags. Instinctively he 
clutched at his enemy's throat, and the two grappled in a mor- 
tal contest. 

They swayed back and forth, now one triumphant, now the oth- 
er. But the Confederate gained the use of his right hand, which 
clutched a bowie ; he was about to drive it to the Federal's heart 
when a sudden wrench of his arm sent the weapon flying over his 
head. There was nothing left, then, but a combat in which pure 
muscular power must determine the victorj^, the Eeb thought; 
and he knew that he was far stronger than the slender form in his 
grasp. But a man who fights for his life does not readily give 
up; this one knew that if he were defeated, he would be hanged 
as a spy; for there was no summons to surrender. So they 
strove for the mastery. The Federal felt his strength gradually 
failing him; a moment more, and that iron hand would close 
upon his throat in a deadly grasp. Suddenly relaxing his own 
hold upon his opponent, he seized his revolver. They closed 
again ; but in an instant afterward, the muzzle of the weapon 
was pressed against the Confederate's forehead; there was a 
sharp report; and the dead man fell heavily to the roof, thence 
to the ground. 

His opponent followed him, but voluntarily, wishing to rejoin 
his comrade. That comrade had had no idle moments in the mean- 
time. The Confederates must have reconnoitered carefully, and 
found just how many men were engaged and what they were do- 
ing ; for at the same instant that the one above stairs had sprung 
upon L , the Zouave found himself in the grasp of two ene- 



642 Destroying the Enemy's Stores. 

mies. Each was at least equal in strength to himself, and it was 
only by desperate exertions that he could prolong the unequal 
contest for a moment's time. As he found opportunity, he made 
a dive for his revolver — it was gone ! Lost in the struggle, 
doubtless. The Confederates seemed anxious to secure their 
prize alive, for they used no weapons, trusting to their united 
strength to overcome him. 

Foiled in his first attempt to defeat them by the use of arms, 
he was more successful in the second ; and his bowie was sheath- 
ed in the side of one of his antagonists. The man sank to the 
ground without a moan, the warm blood gushing from a ghastly 
wound in the left side, just under the fifth rib. The struggle 
was now more nearly equal, although it was the stronger of the 
two Confederates that was left alive. 

Such was the state of affairs below when L fired, and hav- 
ing thus rid himself of his own antagonist, leaped to the ground 
to find his comrade. The soft earth gave way beneath his feet, 
and he fell forward ; as he scrambled to an erect position, his 
hand came in contact with rough cloth — could it be the clothing 
of the dead Zouave? He felt farther along the mass of lifeless 
clay, and his hands were bathed in the warm blood. Deter- 
mined, at any risk, to find if this were the body of his comrade, 
or if the Zouave was still alive, he called : 

"Where are you, H V 

''Here lam," came the reply, from a point but a few yards 
off; ''come and help me, for mercy's sake." 

He sjirang to the assistance of his companion; and the burly 
Rebel, unable to resist their united powers, was dragged to the 
curb of the well. He struggled desperately, but it was of no 
avail. A moment he hung suspended over the dark abyss, black- 
er even than the darkness that surrounded them; then, their 
grasp relaxed; his arms clutched convulsively, but they clutch- 
ed only the air ; and as his fingers closed in, he fell down — down 
— to the dark waters thirty feet below, to the j ocky bottom as 
far below the surface of the water. 

There was no time for delay ; the Federals d.d not know how 
many more enemies there might be ; and without waiting to hear 
the plash of the foeman's body in the water, they plunged into 
the shrubbery that surrounded the house, and made for the 
horse and wagon. It may well be believed that no time was 
lost in getting away from that locality, although, as they were 



I 



Destroying the Enemy's Stores. 643 

# 
not pursued, their haste was needless. They reached camp in 
safety, rejoicing over the idea that if they had not carried off 
any of the stores of the enemy, they had at least destroyed some 
of importance. 

Pompey received his horse and wagon with considerable sur- 
prise; and when asked if he had any doubts about the Zouave's 
intention to return them, answered in son" e confusion : 

"Oh no, sah; no, sah; but — I'se — I'se mighty feared you was 
a gwine ter git killed, boss." 

"Much obliged to you for the use of them, Pompey," returned 
the Zouave. 

"Didn't you forget somefin,' boss ?" asked the darkey, anx- 
iously. 

"Oh, the money ? Well, Pomp, you just make out the bill and 
send it to the Board of Claims, in Washington. I haven't a cent 
to spare." 



Al 



CAPTTJRING TWO GENERAliS. 

An Attractive Idea — Cumberland — How They Got the Countersign — Gathering in 
the Eeserves — " Scouts from New Creek " — No Time for Ceremony — A Faith- 
ful Servant — "Sent Out to Reconnoiter" — Necessity for Haste — Pursued — 
Escape With Prisoners — Eecognition of Services. 

IVTEW CEEEK, Virginia, had been surprised and captured 
1 \| by Gen. Eosser of the Confederate Army, and in accord- 
ance with the policy of the FederalGovernment at that time, the 
officer in command of the department in which that station was 
situated, Maj.-Gen. Kelley, had been removed to make room for 
another of less unfortunate antecedents, Maj.-Gen. Crook. 
Though no longer in command. Gen. Kelley, having as yet re- 
ceived no orders to proceed elsewhere, was still at his old head- 
quarters, one of the principal hotels in the city of Cumberland ; 
while Gen. Crook had established himself at the other house of 
similar standing. 

The idea of two Federals of the rank of Major-General, in one 
town, and probably feeling entirely secure as to their own per- 
sons, was an attractive one to a certain young Confederate. He 
ranked only as a lieutenant, but the death of his father, the gal- 
lant old Captain McNeill, of the McNeill Eangers, left him practi- 
cally in command of that body of daring men, as no successor 
had yet been commissioned. The thought grew more and more 
pleasing as it became more familiar; and having thoroughly in- 
vestigated the state of affairs in and around Cumberland, he 
came to the conclusion that he would, at any rate, make the at- 
tempt to capture the two generals. 

It must be remembered that Cumberland was, at that time, a 
city of eight or nine thousand inhabitants. There was, accord- 
644 



Capturing Two Generals, 646 

ing to the most reliable information that Lieut. McNeill could 
obtain, nearly that number of Federals encamped there; he 
would be obliged, of course, to penetrate the two lines of pick- 
ets, and without arousing the main body of soldiery, enter the 
town, obtain access to the two headquarters, and carrying off 
the officers of highest rank, evade pursuit. For this work he 
had but sixty effective men ; for in the skirmish in which his 
father had been killed, many of his Eangers had fallen ; others 
were wounded; others absent on necessary duty. Nothing 
could be hoped, then, if they were discovered. The whole plan 
must be wrought out in one night, and with the greatest cau- 
tion. 

Carefully arranging all the details of route and duties, the 
sixty men set out on their perilous adventure. The path was 
well known to the Rangers, and they were accustomed to silent 
movements through the darkness ; it was without adventure, 
then, that they crossed Knobby Mountain and reached the bank 
of the North Branch of the Potomac. They crossed the stream, 
and halted near the picket post which was nearest the course 
they had marked out. It was only a momentary halt, however, 
and they rode on to the picket. 

"What is your countersign?" demanded Lieut. McNeill, stern- 
ly, as he boldly rode up to the picket. The Federal, a huge, 
thick-headed, slow-witted German, was so surprised by the sud- 
den apparition that he failed to collect his sluggish thoughts, 
and stammered out : 

"Bool's Kap." (Bull's Gap.) 

"All right," answered the Confederate, nonchalantly ; and he 
and his men rode past, leaving the picket wondering "who in ter 
teufel it could be dat demanded de countersign in dat style. It 
must be a sheneral at least; maybe der Bresitent Lincoln." 

They rode five miles further on down the county road, and 
then struck into the pike. Presently came the expected chal- 
lenge: 

"Halt ! Who comes there ?" 

"Friends, with the countersign." 

"Dismount and advance, one, and give the countersign." 

Lieut. McNeill's ankle had been badly crushed a short time 
before, so that it was impossible for him to comply with the first 
part of the order; he was about to give the countersign from his 
saddle, having urged his horse forward for the purpose, when 



G4G 



Capturing Two Generals. 



he heard, to his surprise and even disgust at the timid sentinel: 
"Don't shoot; I surrender." 

Alarmed by the advance of a mounted man, the luckless sol- 
dier took this course to save his own life. On they went gath- 
ering in the reserves. The first captured were cavalry. These 
were taken with them. The next were infantry. Disarming 
them and destroying their guns, the Rangers paroled these, the 
condition being that they should remain where they were until 
morning. 

"The town is surrounded, and there isn't any possibility of es- 
cape, so you needn't try," the Eangers gravely assured the pris- 
oners, who, to use a 
modern slang expres- 
sion, "took it all in," 
and obeyed orders. 
Their best plan, as they 
knew, was to act bold- 
ly, as if they were a 
Federal force. Enter- 
ing the town on the 
west side, then, and 
crossing Will's Creek, 
which flows through 
it, they rode deliber- 
ately up one of the 
principal thorough- 
fares, Baltimore St., 
laughing, talking, and 
whistling, as they 
Getting the Countersign. mighthave passed 

through Richmond, or as the Union scouts which they pretend- 
ed to be might have done in Cumberland. 

Guards paced the streets, and from these came friendly salu- 
tations and challenges, such as : 

"Hello, boj's, who might you be ?" 

"Scouts from New Creek," replied the Confederates. 

It was two or three o'clock in the morning before they had 
reached the city and penetrated to its heart. Moving without or- 
ders, like the dancers in a quadrille, the party divided as it reach- 
ed a given point, one detachment proceeding to the St. l^icholas, 
the other, under the command of Lieut. Welton, to the Reveve 




Capturing Two Generals. 647 

House. As Lieut. McNeill's ankle disabled him, ho was obliged 
to remain in the saddle, and leave the actual work of the first 
party to be performed by Jas. W. Kuykendall. Let us first fol- 
low the Confederates in this party to the St. Nicholas. 

Those who had been previously appointed for the purpose, 
dismounted as soon as they halted, and entered the hotel. Pass- 
ing the guards by means of the countersign, they procure a light 
and ascertain the position of Gen. Kelley's room; leaving the 
sentries to be surprised and silently secured by the comrades 
whom they had left outside. In order to enter Gen. Kelley's 
apartment, it was necessary to pass through that occupied by 
his Adjutant-General, Major Melvin ; securing this officer, which 
required but a moment, and taking hasty note of the fact that 
they had captured four headquarters colors, they knocked at 
Gen. Kelley's door. 

Thus aroused from sleep, the general raised himself on his el- 
bow and looked inquiringly, at the intruder, not knowing but 
that some message of importance might have brought him. But 
before he had time to put the inquiry into words, the Confeder- 
ate said to him : 

"I suppose you know me. General." 

"Yes," answered Kelley, with a puzzled expression, as he rec- 
ognized the face and voice, "you are Mr. Kuykendall." 

"I was your prisoner once, but I have the honor to have cap- 
tured you now. You are my prisoner, sir." 

"But to whom am I to surrender?" demanded the officer, re- 
luctant to own himself the prisoner of a soldier ranking so far 
below himself. 

"To me, sir; there is no time for ceremony, and you will find 
it wisest not to insist on it. Please to dress at once." 

There was nothing to do but to obey the order, and the party 
speedily repaired to the rendezvous previously appointed. In 
the meantime, the other portion of the force had gone to the 
Eevere House. Halted in front of the main entrance by the sen- 
tinel on duty there, they replied to the usual question : 

"Friends, with the countersign, bearing important dispatches 
for Gen. Crook." 

Five men had dismounted as soon as the party had drawn rein, 
Jos. L. Yandiver being the leader of the squad. Advancing as 
if to give the countersign, one of them, by a dexterous movement 
wrested the sentinel's gun from his hand, while two were 






648 Capturing Two Generals. 

detailed to guard him. The outer door of the apartments occu- 
pied by Gen. Crook was reached, and a knock evidently aroused 
some one within. 

"Who's dar?" 

" Open the door. I want to see the general right away." 

" De general's asleep." 

" Let me in, anyhow; I must see him. Hurry up. It's very 
important." 

With much caution the door is opened, and a diminutive dark- 
ey blocks the way. 

" Which is Gen. Crook's door ?" 

" I'se feered to tell. He's asleep." 

"Which is Gen. Crook's door?" repeated the Confederate, 
threateningly. 

" Specs you mought fin' him in dar, sah, but I ain't gwine to 
tell, kase — " 

But the reason was lost to the listener, for at the first indica- 
tion which the cautious darkey gave he had turned to the door 
to which he had nodded, and now knocked. 

" Come in," calls the general, awaking with true soldierly 
instinct at the first call of duty or danger. 

In acceptance of the invitation, Yandiver, with a light in his 
left hand and a pistol half concealed in his right, enters. 

" This is Gen. Crook, I presume ?" 

"I am, sir." 

" I am Gen. Rosser, sir ; you are my prisoner. You will please 
dress immediately and accompany me." 

Gen. Crook stared a moment at the new comer, as if he would 
doubt the evidence of his own senses, but was speedily aroused 
to the reality of the circumstances by Yandiver's impatient* 

"Here are your clothes. General ; you had better put them on 
unless you prefer to go as you are." 

The officer, thoroughly awakened by such a decided command, 
dressed himself rapidly, and in a few moments followed his cap- 
tor down stairs. The rendezvoits was speedily reached, and the 
force, once more reunited, rode out of town. More than once 
they are stopped by the pickets. 

"Halt ! Who goes there ?" 

"Friends, with the countersign." 

"Dismount, one; advance, and give the countersign." 

"No time to dismount; enemy reported near by," Lieut. Mo- 



Capturing Two Generals. 649 

Neill would answer, as he rode up to the picket and gave the 
password. 

"Sent out on a reconnoissance?" 

"Yes, Gen. Crook wants their movements carefully watched.'* 

"Go in and win ; give 'em pepper, or anything else that's hot." 

"O, you may bet your bottom dollar we're the boys for-that." 

"Cold night, though." 

"We'll make it hot for the enemy." 

So they filed past the pickets in the outer line. But of course 
they were by no means safe, even after they had crossed the Po- 
tomac; for they would certainly be pursued as soon as the cap- 
ture of the two generals should be discovered; and they could 
not hope that it wcmld remain a secret after morning had dawned, 
even if it should not be betrayed before. They rode rapidly, 
■^he rearguard being specially cautioned as to the necessity for 
the greatest vigilance. They reached Eomney about eight in 
the morning, and had not left it far behind them when the rear- 
guard reported a force of Federal cavahy, about equal to their 
own numbers, in pursuit. Several shots were exchanged be- 
tween the two detachments, but the Feds were not anxious to 
bring on an engagement with a force of unknown strength and 
daring courage that was only too well known, while the Eebs 
were only too anxious to escape with their prisoners to their 
own lines. 

When they passed Moorefield, about two o'clock in the after- 
noon, the rearguard again gave the alarm; but the Yankees ap- 
peared to have procured reinforcements, as they numbered about 
two hundred. But, far as their force exceeded that of the re- 
treating party, they were not equal to an attack, as they had 
galloped their horses thirty-five miles, starting when the alarm 
was first given, and being fired with zeal to recapture their com- 
mander. 

As Lieut. McNeill afterwards learned, several large forces, 
numbering nearly ten times as many men as his own, were sent 
out in different directions to intercept him ; but he escaped with- 
out the loss of a man, and carried his prisoners safely to the 
Confederate lines, where they were delivered up to the proper 
authorities. Gen. Early, on hearing of the capture, decided that 
the man who could plan and execute such a daring expedition 
was fit to lead the men who had followed him on that occasion ; 
and Xdeut. MclSTeill was accordingly commissioned captain of 



050 Capturing Two Generals. 

the company of Eangers which his father had raised, and which, 
in accordance with the custom of the times, bore his name. 
Thus the son worthily perpetuated the fame of the sire by a gal- 
lant exploit hardly excelled in bold conception and skillful ex- 
ecution by any during the whole war. 



f^HAPTEI^ jL/. 



A NARROW ESCAPE. 

A Couple of Deserters — The Court-Martial's Finding — Preparations for the Exe- 
cution — An Impressive Scene — "Shoulder Arms!" — Baltimore Telegraph 
Office — A Delayed Dispatch — "For Mr. Lincoln's Sake" — By Way of New 
York and Chicago — To Harper's Ferry — Just in Time — Pardoned. 

THE present story so far differs from the majority of those 
which compose this volume, that the men who, as the ti- 
tle indicates, narrowly escaped an imminent danger, had no 
part in the efforts which were made to save them. Their own 
hands spun that thread of fate which forms the sombre woof of 
thelale; while the brighter warp came from another source. 

And since it is so, we shall have to change the scene rapidly ; 
the curtain rises, falls, and rises again; now the stage represents 
one place, now another; the actors changing too. The first act 
is but dim and shadowy, as if the gas burned but weakly in the 
immense theater; for no minute written record of it exists. Let 
us briefly sketch its outlines, as the few words of real history 
present them. A man of forty or more years, who had entered 
the Federal army, tired of the strictness of discipline, or perhaps 
i-esenting the petty tyranny of a subordinate officer, resolves 
that he will stand it no longer. A youth of twenty, who has en- 
listed with high hopes of winning honor and preferment — was 
not Custer a general at twenty-three? — found that "Ouster's 
Luck" was not an invariable attendao upon youthful soldiers, 
and grew weary of privation and suffering. These two deserted. 
They were recaptured and court-martialed. The military tri- 
bunal found them guilty, and imposed the usual sentence, which 

was approved by Gen. Sheridan. They were "to be shot to death 

661 



652 A Narroio Escape. 

with musketry" at noon, on the twenty-fourth day of February, 
1865. 

The news was sent to their relatives, who at once wentto work 
in their behalf. What arguments were used, we know not ; but 
the President was not induced to consider the case until so late 
a date that he would not have had sufficient time before the exe- 
cution, for the examination of evidence. The condemned men 
waited for the news to come; the elder with a sullen, dogged look 
on his face; the younger seeming scarcely to realize the gravity 
of his present situation. Hour after hour of the precious time 
had passed, and the morning of the twenty-fourth dawned, gray 
and dreary. High above the town and camp at Harper's Ferry 
towered the hills which had been so long familiar to them, on 
one of which they two were to diethatday, unless the Command- 
er-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States should in- 
terfere in the case of two privates of the artillery. 

Their guard answered by a mute gesture the unspoken ques' 
tion of the elder man; no message had been received. The. 
youth was dazed; he could not comprehend that he was to die 
at the hands of his comrades, with whom he had never been un- 
popular ; that this sentence was imposed by officers who knew 
nothing of him. The hour appointed for the execution approach- 
ed. Upon Bolivar Heights there were two open graves, each 
with a rude pine coffin beside it; and the tenants for whom tBese 
narrow houses had been prepared were still living. Toward 
them there marched, through the raw, cloudy day, a procession 
whose whole appearance indicated the solemnity of the occasion. 
The band led the way, playing a slow march ; then followed Gren. 
Job Stevenson, the commandant of the post, surrounded by his 
staff, the gorgeous effect of their uniforms and trappings strange- 
ly at variance with the slow and stately manner of their advance ; 
next came the guard surrounding an ambulance ; and last of ali 
came an entire regiment, marching by platoons, with reversed 
arms. 

The stern solemnity of the military procession was less indica- 
tive of human interest than the sympathizing faces of the neigh- 
borhood crowd that followed it. A casual observer would have 
supposed that every man, woman and child in Harper's Ferry 
had turned out to view the sad ceremony of the day; and there 
was not a face which did not express, in some degree, the pre- 
vailing sentiment of the day. 



A Narrow Escape. 653 

Over all hung heavy threatening clouds; under foot was a 
light snow, which melted beneath the tread of so many feet, and 
left the bare, half-frozen earth visible in unsightly patches. A 
mile upward on that slope of Bolivar Heights which is nearest 
the town wound the long dark column ; then, obedient to the 
word of command, they halt. Here is a level space, backed by a 
ridge of ground, in which stray bullets may bury themselves. 
Just in front of this boundary to the miniature plateau are the 
graves of which we have spoken. The troops form in two hol- 
low squares, one within the other, the opening of both being to- 
ward the elevation. The condemned men are taken from the am- 
bulance, and each is seated upon his coffin. Beside them stands 
the chaplain of their regiment who has been with them during 
their terrible ride, endeavoring to prepare them for the approach 
of death. 

The voice of the adjutant breaks a solemn stillness as he reads 
the formal recital of the court-martial's proceedings, detailing 
the nature of their offense against militai'y law, the evidence 
upon which they were convicted, and the sentence which was 
now to be executed. Then he reads the order of Gen. Sheridan, 
approving this decision of the tribunal, and fixing this as the day 
and hour when it should be carried into effect. The crowd out- 
side the outer square of soldiers looked anxiously upward, as if 
to question the arrival of the time ; but so thick were the clouds 
that not even a luminous blur showed the position of the sun. 
The soldiers, officers and men, as in duty bound, stared straight 
forward as if gazing upon vacancy. 

The chaplain knelt beside the doomed men, praying earnestly 
(or them; for the sullen, rugged nature of the man who would 
give no sign lest he be betrayed into an unmanly weakness; for 
the pitiful calmness of the boy who seemed scarcely to realize 
what was to be the result of all these preparations. At last the 
good man arose, and grasping the hand of each tittered a last 
word of encouragement. The lieutenant in charge of the firing 
party, which was about a score of paces in front of the other 
troops, looked at Gen, Stevenson ; that officer looked anxiously 
down the road; there was nothing to be seen ; then he drew his 
watch out and consulted it; it was one minute past twelve. 
There was no longer any hope of a pardon, or even of a re- 
prieve; and the commander, by an almost imperceptible nod, 
gave the signal of despair to his subordinate. Instantly two 



654 A Narrow Escape. 

soldiers, appointed for that duty, stepped out of the ranks to 
bandage the eyes of the condemned. Hardly a breath stirs the 
vast concourse of soldiers and civilians, gathered there on the 
hillside; after what seems an interminable length of time, the 
painful intensity of the silence is broken by the low, clear voice 
of the officer in command of the firing party: 

'' Attention ! Shoulder arms !" 

A moment more and that fatal command will be given ; those 
two blindfolded men will fall, in the agonies of death, from the 
coffins on which they are now seated; to be laid with pitying 
hands in those rude boxes, and lowered into the graves that now 
yawn before them. Then the troops will form once more in a 
column, not with arms reversed as when they came, and return 
to the camp, keeping step to the lively march which the band 
will play. Will the moment by which such changes shall be 
wrought ever come ? Or will a merciful Providence send in its 
stead another, with a different kind of work to do ? 

Strangely enough, the solution to these questions is being 
worked out in great cities, far from that snow-covered hillside; 
and not in camp or council of war, but in that most prosaically 
modern of all places — the telegraph office. Leaving these actors 
in the drama here, let us seek elsewhere for the other dramatis 
pei'sonae, as the modern playwright claims it is his privilege to do. 

The time of this second act (if simultaneous occurrences can be 
so called) is the twenty-fourth of February, as it is in the first; 
about the moment that the imposing cortege of the first began to 
form. The curtain rises upon a telegraph office in Baltimore. 
An operator sits at his table, busy with a dispatch which has just 
been handed him. It has been sent, and now he turns to takeuj:) 
another, when he hears the familiar call "C — A — L," repeated 
several times. It is the signal that the War Department has a 
message to send ; and his orders are imperative. Every tele- 
graph operator in the country knows that when he is thus sum- 
moned, he must drop all other business, and attend to that which 
maybe, in days of Civil War, of vital importance to the country. 

This was the message which he was called upon to receive : 

Washington, D. C, Feb. 23, 1864. 
Gen. Job Stevenson, Harper's Ferry : 

Deserters reprieved till further orders. Stop the execution. 

A Lincoln. 



A Narrow Escape. 655 

Quickly following this formal dispatch, came the " talk" of 
the Washington operator over the wire : 

" These men will be shot at noon to-day unless Gen. Stevenson 
receives the President's message. Don't know what was the 
reason, but it was sent from the War Department yesterday, and 
has just reached this office. Send it on at once. It is a case of 
life and death. Would not have known about it, but the Presi- 
dent sent an officer to see if it had been sent, and the thing was 
investigated. Get it through at once to Harper's Ferry, and let 
me know, as the officer is waiting to report to Mr. Lincoln." 

Quickly back over the wires flashed the answer : 

" Can't do it; the line from here to Harper's Ferry is down. 
Nothing has passed since midnight. Wish I could do it, but 
p.an't." 

With which emphatic statement of his inability, the Baltimore 
operator thought he had washed his hands of the matter. Scarce- 
ly had he ticked off the last letters of the concluding word, than 
the reply came, evidently sent in much haste. 

" Do it, somehow, for Mr. Lincoln's sake j he is very anxious 
about it — has just sent a second messenger to enquire if themes- 
sage has been received by Gen. Stevenson." The heart of the 
operator was touched as he thought of the man so high in office 
and in the esteem of his countrymen, so busied with all the man- 
ifold cares for the welfare of the nation, yet anxious about the 
fate of two deserters from the ranks. 

" A private or so, now and then, will not count in the news of 
the battle ;" but the first citizen of the Republic, the Command- 
er of her armies as well as the guardian of her laws, thought 
even of the privates. 

Fired with new energy at the thought of this, the operator 
rapidly turned over in his mind various means of getting the dis- 
patch through ; but of himself he could do nothing. Calling the 
office superintendent to his table, he briefly recounted the nature 
of the messages, and urged from his own heart the necessity of 
getting the dispatch through. 

" Send it to New York," the official directed, " and tell them 
they must get it through to Wheeling, and the Wheeling people 
can get it to Harper's Ferry by way of Cumberland and Martins- 
burg. Of course, under the circumstances, you must give all 
your time to it until you get it through." 

The operator glanced at the clock ; it was ten minutes past 



656 A Narrow Escape. 

eleven ; scarcely half an hour remained, for time must be allowed 
for the messenger to reach the place of execution. He hastily 
ticked off the message to New York, with a brief explanation of 
the peculiar circumstances. Back came the reply : 

''The case is hopeless; the wires are crowded ; much of the 
matter is, like this, from the War Department, and came before, 
so it has precedence of this message. Cannot do it now, but may 
do it late in the afternoon." 

" That will not do at all," answered the man at the Baltimore 
end of the wire, "for the men are to be shot at noon to-day un- 
less this reaches Gen. Stevenson in time. Get it through for Mr. 
Lincoln's sake, as he is very anxious about it." 

That was the chorus of this song of the telegraph wires. The 
IN'ew Yorker saw at once that all questions of precedence must 
he disregarded, in this matter of life and death ; and telling the 
Baltimorean that he would do his utmost, proceeded to fulfill the 
promise. Eesting in this assurance, he of the City of Monuments 
was about to turn his attention to those other matters which he 
had thrown aside when the War Department's call came ; but he 
was again signaled by Washington. 

" What about that dispatch to Harper's Ferry ? Have you got 
it through yet? Why don't you let us know about it?" 

To which Baltimore replied : 

"Had to send it around by way of New York; they have 
promised to do their best, but I have not heard from them yet." 

" Let us know the instant you get an answer from New York," 
came from Washington. 

It was twenty minutes past eleven, and still another inquiry 
had come from the national capital. Baltimore answered: " Wait 
a minute," and took the following from New York : 

" Dispatch got to Buffalo, but Wheeling wire is down. It has 
gone on to Chicago." 

This was sent on to Washington, and another pause of ten min- 
utes came. 

" The dispatch is at Chicago ; they are doing their best to get 
it to Wheeling, but thej^'re afraid of failure; can't make the 
Wheeling man hear the call." 

A few anxious minutes passed ; the operator at Chicago at 
last succeeded in making Wheeling answer, and sent the mes- 
sage onward ; but those at New York, Baltimore and Washing- 
ton were still in the dark as to the progress which was being made. 






658 



A Narrow Escape. 




I 



A Narrow Escape. 659 

At last, after what seemed an houi' of anxious waiting, but in 
reality" was not ten full minutes since Baltimore had received 
and forwarded the news of Chicago's diflSculty, the word flashed 
around that wide circuit. 

" The dispatch has reached Wheeling, and the operator there 
says he can get it through to Harper's Ferry in time." 

Then the messenger at the Washington office hurried off to 
reassure the President, and the operators, one and all, resum- 
ed the work which this effort had interrupted. While all this 
had been going on, and those solemn preparations on Bolivar 
Heights had been going forward, an orderly, booted and spui*- 
red, had been pacing the rude plank platform in front of the 
telegraph office at Harper's Ferry. Near him stood his horse, 
one of the best to be found in the number of Government ani- 
mals at that place; for Gen. Stevenson had expected this re- 
prieve, and fearful of a fatal delay, had sent this orderly, as a 
more expeditious messenger than those usually employed. 

The soldier looked often and anxiously at the clock, and his 
face grew grave as the minute-hand traveled around the dial. It 
was ten minutes of twelve when the operator called out to him 
that he had better be ready. The telegrapher had heard the 
name of the commandant of the post ticked off. The orderly 
sprang into his saddle, the operator wrote out the message as 
rapidly as even the most expert of his calling could have done, 
and jumping from his seat, ran to the door and tossed the yel- 
low envelope into the soldier's outstretched hand. Hardly has 
he grasped it, when a cut of his whip sends his horse bounding 
along the road to the hillside. 

" At each bound he could feel the scabbard of steel 
Smiting his stallion's flanks." 

Will he be in time? He hardly dares ask himself the ques- 
tion, lest, thinking for one instant of other things than the speed 
at which he is traveling, his horse be allowed to slacken his 
pace, though ever so little. As he rides up the slope, he rises in 
his stirrups and shouts at the top of his voice, waving the yellow 
envelope above his head. If he can but make them hear or see 
him, he will be in time, for he has not yet heard the crack of 
the carbines. 

But the crowd around the place of execution is deaf and blind 
to all but that which is directly before them; they are waiting 

with that curious desire to witness the horrible, for the very 

42 



660 A Narrow Escape. 

sound which the orderly dreads. The firing party have their 
arms ready, and await only the one word which their command- 
ing officer is about to utter. Just at this moment Gen. Steven- 
son makes a warning gesture; the word, *'Fire!" that else 
would have completed the lieutenant's orders, is never spoken; 
for the ranks part to admit the orderly, who, with a light heart, 
but with too much respect for military decorum to wear a smil- 
ing face, hands the yellow envelope to his commanding officer. 

The news was told to the condemned men, and soldiers and 
civilians looked on with curious eyes. The elder man gave no 
sign, but rose with dogged sullenness, as if life or death were all 
the same to him; the youth looked around him for an instant as 
the bandage was removed from his eyes; then, burying his face 
in his hands, burst into uncontrollable tears. 

Then the soldiers reformed in marching order, and returned 
to camp, the reprieved men still under guard. But before long, 
a second message to Gen. Stevenson, duly provided with the 
necessary amount of red tape and superfluous words, and sent 
by mail, informed him that the deserters sentenced to be shot 
on the twenty -fourth of February, but reprieved by the Presi- 
dent, were granted a full and unconditional pardon, with restor- 
ation to their former company. They never deserted again. 



DETERMINED TO ESCAPE. 

A Spirited Engagement — A Victory Barren of Trophies — Disposition of the Prison- 
ers — Prison Pastimes — Base Ball — "Opinions of the Press" — Better Sport — 
Efforts to Escape — Tunneling— Failure — A Drunken Driver — Almost Free — 
Kecaptured— A Daring Plan — Scaling the Parapet — He Escapes — Almost in 
Canada — Ketaken by Farmers — Spirit Broken — Spirit Gets Mended — Busy at 
Work — A Wonderful Achievement — "An Escape Planned" — Guards Doubled 
— Strict Examination — Keview of Inspecting Party — Discovery of Prisoner 
Among Them — A Sensible and Generous Officer — Eemanded to Prison — 
How He Was Freed. 

AFTEE the battle of Gettysburg, the Confederate forces re- 
treated to Virginia, closely pursued by the victorious 
Federals. Several months passed, and the great Virginian had 
so far retrieved his losses that, early in November, 1863, he was 
able to turn upon Gen. Meade, and drive him back across the 
Eapidan. But a portion of the Federal army was ordered to ad- 
vance, as the main force halted; it did so, and attacked a Con- 
federate brigade which had been stationed north of the Rappa- 
hannock. The assailing force numbered ten to one of those at- 
tacked; and though the gallant Louisianians fought with all the 
fury of their Southern blood, the odds were too great. Cut off 
from their own pontoon bridge, a few escaped by swimming the 
icy stream; others died in the attempt; many more fell on the 
field ; and as night closed around them, the remnant of the brig- 
ade felt that the case was indeed a hopeless one. 

They had fought bravely, and had not yielded until the last 
moment; yet, in giving up, each man was actuated by a grim re- 
solve that the victory, dearly bought as it was, should afford but 
few trophies to the enemy. The color-bearer of one regiment 
tore the battle-flag from the staff and thrust it into the bosom of 

661 



662 



Determined to Escape. 



his overshirt, then yielded up the bare staff. One young officer, 
on being summoned to surrender his sword, broke it across 
his knee and handed the hilt to his antagonist. What became 
of the broken blade is not recorded; but the battle-flag, hastily 
removed from its place of concealment, "was, by the advice of 
several officers, committed to the camp-fire around which the 
prisoners were grouped; and was thus saved from falling into 
the hands of the enemy. 

On the morning after their capture, the prisoners were trans- 




Old Capitol Prison. 

ferred from this camp to the Old Capitol Prison, where they re- 
mained three days ; at the expiration of that time, the officers 
were sent to Johnson's Island and the privates to Point Lookout. 
It is at this stage of the proceedings that our story properly be- 
gins; the scene being laid in that famous military prison near 
Sandusky, Ohio; and the hero, the same young officer who had 
broken his sword before giving it up — Lieut. C. H. Pierce, of 
the Seventh Louisiana. 

Arrived at Johnson' Island, they were all, of course, in the 
slough of despond for many days ; but most of them were young, 
and of a fun-loving, make-the-best-of-it disposition, and they soon 



Determined to Escape. 663 

engaged in various plans for killing time. Many and various 
were the means adopted; but none combined the advantages of 
vigorous out-door exercise and keen competition so well as base 
ball. What is now the "National Game" had come into promi- 
nence some twenty years before the time of which we write, but 
had sunk into insignificance besides that "iron game" which was 
being played between North and South. The playing of the pris- 
oners, then, attracted much more attention from the people of 
Sandusky than it would have done had the game been more fre- 
quently seen; and when the final match between the "Confeder- 
ates" and the "Southrons" was played, fully three thousand per- 
sons were present to behold the victory of the gallant "South- 
rons." 

The prison authorities had feared that the zeal of the prison- 
ers for the sport might be merely a blind, to enable them to es- 
cape; and whenever a game was plaj^ed, extra guards were on 
duty. On this last occasion, the slides of the port-holes were 
drawn back, and the guns were made ready for instant use, in 
case the players should make a run for the "home base." But 
the precautions proved needless, for nothing of the kind was at- 
tempted. The commandant of the post, however, was severely 
censured by the more violent newspapers for allowing the pris- 
oners so much liberty; the torrents of denunciation reached 
Washington, and he was removed, to make room for a more vig- 
orous disciplinarian. 

Even had it not been made thus impossible, base ball had lost 
its charms in the eyes of men who longed only for freedom, and 
who merely engaged in these pastimes to keep from feeling the 
pressure of their chains. All of the recreations possible to pris- 
oners were tried, practiced for a time, and then thrown aside in 
disgust. Only one. occuj)ation retained, throughout, the charm 
which at first invested it, and that was the laying of plans to es- 
cape. Chief among those who indulged in this pastime was 
Lieut. Pierce, whose untiring efforts we would here relate. 

The first mode of escape that suggests itself to men weary of 
prison life is a tunnel, extending from their cells to some point 
beyond the walls. It was this means, then, that Pierce and 
some of his companions in misfortune resolved to adopt. A tun- 
nel was begun from a cell carefully selected as affording excel- 
lent opportunities for concealing the work ; but the proposed 
route was found to be too long. The work was carefully un- 



664 Determined to Escape. 

done, then, and another point selected as the the inner opening 
of the tunnel. But this second cell was lighter and more public 
than the first, which was so dark that nothing but a thorough 
search would have revealed the excavations. The project was 
suspected, and only a few hours before they were to attempt 
that for which they had worked so long, the whole affair was 
discovered. Thus ended their first attempt. The participators 
were of course punished by the withdrawal, for a time, of all the 
privileges allowed; the strength of the guard was increased; 
inspections were more frequent and thorough than ever; and the 
prisoners began to think that an opportunity for escape would 
never occur again. 

Not so, however, with our hero. Failure was to him no more 
than a warning that he must succeed next time; and he occupied 
the long and weary days which he spent in the dungeon, not in 
repenting of his attempt, nor even in lamenting its failure, but 
in thinking out some other plan which, on his return to the or- 
dinary cell, he might put into practice. But even his busy brain 
could suggest none that seemed likely to be any more success- 
ful than the last. 

Some weeks passed on, and our friends of the tunnel affair 
were released from "durance vile" in the cells reserved for pun- 
ishment of offenders, and restored to the privileges which their 
less venturesome companions enjoyed. The scare was over, and 
the prison officials had settled down to a course less laborious 
than the great vigilance at first exercised, but still by no means 
a careless way of attending to their duties. It was merely an 
accident, for which, of course, his superiors were in no way to 
blame, that the soldier who drove the offal cart was one morn- 
ing so intoxicated that he could hardly keep his seat. Lieut. 
Pierce watched him as, with drunken gravity, he endeavored to 
sit very erect and drive very straight; and he at once saw that 
here was an opportunity for another attempt. 

Fortunately for the Confederate's plans, the work of loading 
up the cart occupied some little time; and the driver, dismount- 
ing from his perch, was soon fast asleep on one of the wooden 
benches which adorned the prison-yard. If a drunken man once 
fall asleep, what can awaken him before that intolerable thirst 
begins? At any rate, it seemed as if nothing could rouse this 
one; for not even when Lieut. Pierce removed his overcoat did 
he stir. His cap had fallen from his head, and lay on the ground 



Determined to Escape. 



665 



beside him. Hastily donning both overcoat and cap the Con- 
federate mounted the cart, and took possession of the lines, llis 
impromptu disguise deceived the sentinels stationed at the gate 
and he drove onward with much outward unconcern and much 

inward rejoicing. _ , x \v.-„i. +!.«+ 

He had passed the parapet, and was beginning to think that 
he was to regain his freedom. But he had not been able to re- 
move the traces of his escape. It required no g reat vigilance on 

. — ™„, --' 1 




Changing Clothes ivith the Drunken Soldier. 
the part of the guard to discover the drunken driver asleep on 
tteLttee; and'the find immediately suggested the question : 
Who had taken his place and driven the cart out? It must be 
one of the prisoners, and the hue and cry was raised at once A 
squad was sent in pursuit; the fugitive was recaptured, and 
taken back to the dungeon from which he had so recently been 

released ; and thus ended the second attempt. 
Hardly had his term of solitary confinement expired than he 

began to^hink of some other plan ; but it seemed as if the guards 

were more than doubly watchful of all the P^^^^^^^^^^. 

Towed especial attention on him. Indeed, the fact that he had 



Determined to Escape 

^ a yja.vdiry and JL/ieut. Bowles a rnnein ^f t • ^ -r.- 
and a member of the same regiment in thel? "^.^^^-/^^^^^ 
dent a desire to eseawe «. ,,^,"'^":' /'^ ^^^«^ t^o ^efound as ar- 

much discussion ofTossibiht^^^ "T T'^'"''^ '™' ^"^ ^^^- 
inglv made as sn^^rin,. ^ , ^^caiing ladders were accord- 

foHts possession. ui,Ti^*^^rt:m::?;r' '"'^ '^'-'«'^™™ 

extends to the Canada si r, ^™""' "' *'"^^' "'''^'' 

lake was frozen over hard eno'L^r T "''1'""*-' -" 'he 

of land, whence they cou?d"tfo,bn.-'° "''"'^ ^'"^ '*"P 
the dominions of oTeen vtfo 1 C^'>''d,an woods. Oncein 

ter and protectr^h hj ';" sMiTat^L T '"h ^'''V^'^'- 
were always .eady to gi;e to slIhltL*'^ '"^' '"' ""^^'^'^ 

to lal thrtor:;,?"'' ''" •""' '" p°='"°"- ^■-•- -- ""> a-t 

handled *. "^ of theparapet, and a well-aimed stone from his 
Zl n bv moTtr"*'"^' """'^" °" *''*S™""''- Butthey 






Juaermined to Escape. 



667 



to reload, and was soon far away upon the ice. The strip of land 
was gained, and, plunging into the woods, he directed his steps 
towards Canada. 

In the meantime, the sentinel, thinking it would be useless to 
pursue such a fleet-footed fugitive, gave the alarm to the corpo- 
ral of the guard, and efforts were at once made to recapture the 
escaped prisoner. Signal-guns, indicating to every one around 
the fort what was the state of affairs, were fired at certain inter- 




Stoning the Guard. 

vals; while they endeavored to break the ice by iheans of solid 
shot. Pierce heard the boom of the guns, and hastened onward. 
All night long he journeyed through the thick darkness of the 
forest, able to direct his course only by occasional glimpses of 
the stars. Soon the Canadian shore would be reached, and he 
would be safe. 

A heavy reward was offered for the apprehension of any es- 
caped prisoner; and whenever the signal-guns at the fort indi- 
cated that this reward was to be earned, the farmers in the neigh- 
borhood turned out in force. So they did on this occasion ; and 
armed with muskets, scoured the woods far and near. Although 
physically they had much the advantage of the man who was 
worn down by more than a year of prison life, yet his desire for 



668 Determined to Escape. 

freedom added so much to his natural speed and endurance, that, 
although they set out almost the instant the warning was given, 
they sought him in vain all night. Daylight came, and just as 
the prisoner began to think that by keeping up this rate of speed 
two or three hours longer, he would have so distanced his pur- 
suers as to make it possible for him to rest, he found himself 
surrounded by the armed farmers. 

Defenseless as he was, he could do nothing but surrender, 
though it was with a feeling of intense humiliation that he gave 
himself up to civilians ; to have been recaptured by soldiers would 
not have been half so bad. But no matterby whom retaken, back 
to the island he must go ; and thus ended attempt the third. 

Three times he h^d been very near success, and had been re- 
captured. But, as we have seen, failure only inspired him to 
new and more ingenious efforts. This time, however, it seemed 
to his captors that his spirit was completely broken; he had no 
longer the energy to attempt such a thing again, even if the strict 
watch they kept ajjon him had permitted it. They thought that 
he had despaired of freedom until released by the ordinary 
course of events, in the case of prisoners of war, or until 

"The terms of his cartel his God had arranged, 
And the victim of prisons at last been exchanged." 

But if the prison officials felt any pity in their hard hearts for 
the daring youth who seemed to be so crushed by his repeated 
failures, it was wasted upon an unworthy object. His melan- 
choly demeanor was assumed as a blind, and intended to de- 
ceive, not only the Federal authorities, but his own comrades; 
lest the interest of the latter in his work might arouse the sus- 
picion of the guards. For when they thought that Lieut. Pierce 
was moping in his cell, he was busily at work on a certain arti- 
cle, the construction of which occupied every available moment 
for full five months. 

Of course the secret could not be kept from all, and his more 
intimate friends, in the course of time, became aware of the plan 
which he had formed. Day after day they watched the progress 
of the work with the keenest interest; interest only increased 
by the necessity of concealing it from the guards, who were al- 
ways ready to suspect Pierce, even though he appeared so des- 
pondent. Slowly, under the rude and clumsy tools so skillfully 
wielded by his patient hands, a piece of the rough wood that was 
so plentiful about the prison grew into the shape of a gunstock; 



Determined to Escape. 669 

a piece of the handle of a camp-kettle was fashioned into a lock; 
the tin fruit cans, the contents of which had been used in the 
hospital, were made into the barrel and guard. A rusty bayo- 
net was a prize of inestimable value that chanced to fall in 
his way ; and diligent rubbing soon restored it to its original 
shining splendor. 

How he stained the white wood so that it closely resembled 
the ordinary stock is still unknown ; nor is it recorded how he 
obtained a complete uniform of blue cloth. But both ends were 
accomplished, and early in the spring of 1865 he was ready for 
the fourth attempt to escape "from his dire prison house, by 
Erie's bleak shore." One of his friends, Lieut. Michael Long, 
was to assist him. It was necessary that the guard should be 
changed at night, that in the confusion resulting from an unusu- 
al movement, he might be able to accomplish the first part of 
his plan unobserved. Accordingly, Lieut. Long "interviewed" 
the guard under whose special charge they were, and with many 
requests that the Federal would not let the prisoners suspect 
who had given the information, divulged the important secret 
that there was to be an attempt to escape made in Block Eight 
that night. 

The informer was warmly thanked, and the corporal of the 
guard summoned. But he judged it a matter too important for 
him to assume responsibility, and submitted the case to the offi 
cer of the guard. Every precaution was at once taken to pre- 
Tent the success of the attempt; a double guard was ordered 
out for the night, and just at sunset a party of inspection made 
the rounds. Every cell was closely scrutinized, but no evidence 
of a tunnel or other mode of escape was found. The inspecting 
party fell into line, and marched out of the prison yard. 

They had seen no evidence of an attempt to escape; they did 
not dream that it was being made before their very eyes. As 
they reformed after the inspection, one of the blue-coated sol- 
diers that fell into line had been better used to wearing a gray 
uniform ; and his musket had been fabricated by his own cunning 
fingers. It was, in fact, no other than our friend Lieut. Pierce, and 
all this alarm about an escape to be attempted was a part of his 
plot to get away from Johnson's Island. Long's information 
was true, but the Federals did not understand it any better than 
he had intended that they should. 

The inspecting party marched out of the prison yard, and at 



670 



Determined to Escape. 



the word of command, halted and faced about, to be themselves 
inspected. The lieutenant in command ran his keen eye over 
the line of men standing bolt upright before him. 

"Where's your cartridge-box, sir?" he demanded of one, 
sternly. 

"I — I — the fact is, sir, we fell in so suddenly, I forgot it," 
stammered the delinquent, with more real regret that he AacZ for- 
gotten it than ever was felt before by soldier who had offended 
in a similar manner. 




"Whei'e's your cartridge box?" 

"A pretty soldier you are ! Suppose the Rebels were to at- 
tack us now?" (Delinquent sincerely wished they would, but 
managed to look very much alarmed.) "Let me see your gun." 

Pierce drew himself up to his full height, perhaps to counter- 
act the sinking of his heart, and presented the weapon in due 
form. He knew that he had been detected, or, rather, would be 
as soon as the Federal had felt the weight of his gun; he knew 
too, that it was simply from having forgotten to make an article 
which presented not a tenth of the difficulties he had overcome 
in the case of the gun. He had surmounted the great obstacles, 



Determined to Escape. 671 

but had stumbled and fallen over the very least that could have 
been presented. 

The Federal lieutenant detected the true state of affairs as 
soon as he took the sham gun in his hands, for it was of course 
very much lighter than the regulation weapon. The prisoner 
was taken before Col. Charles W. Hill, of the 112th Ohio, and to 
that officer the particulars of the attempt were recounted. For- 
tunately for Lieut. Pierce, the colonel was a man whose good 
sense and native generosity had not been overcome by partisan 
feeling. He of course took possession of the blue uniform and 
the gun, for that was no more than his duty demanded ; but he 
recognized the right of a prisoner to escape if he can elude or 
outwit his guards, and did not subject him to any of the punish- 
ments which in military prisons so often rewarded unsuccessful 
efforts to regain liberty. He even complimented the Confeder- 
ate on the ingenuity of his plans and his patience and skill in 
carrying them out; but compliments, even from an enemy's 
lips, were but poor consolation for the failure of the plan for 
which he had worked so long and from which he had hoped so 
much. 

So sure were his comrades that he would succeed, that they 
fixed his bunk to look as if he were covered up in it, and were 
ready to answer, at roll-call the next morning, that he was sick; 
this course being intended to conceal his escape long enough to 
give him a good start. But he was there to answer for himself; 
and thus ended the fourth attempt. 

It was the last; for soon after came the news that Lee had 
surrendered; then, that his subordinates, in various parts of the 
South, had laid down their arms, and the Confederacy was dead. 
The men confined in the various military prisons were benumb- 
ed by the news. That which they had feared had come to pass, 
and even when liberated, they could do no more for the cause 
to which they had sworn allegiance. There was now no 
reason why any of them should attempt to escape; yet a little 
while longer, and they should be duly released. Even Lieut. 
Pierce made no further effort, but waited, with as much patience 
as he could command, until the order came for officers of his 
rank to be paroled and released. 

The gun, which was so close an imitation of the real article, is 
still in existence, and is said, by those who have seen it, to be a 
marvel of workmanship, when the tools and materials are con- 



672 Determined to Escape. 

sidered. Originally placed in the archives of the State of Ohio, 
it was subsequently claimed by the maker's relatives, and by 
them presented, if we mistake not, to the Southern Historical 
Society, in whose possession it still remains. 

The story, as it reaches us, is told by other persons than the 
one directly concerned, and thus lacks many details which could 
be supplied by no one else j but his death occurred so soon after 
the War (1867) that the time had not come to tell the story; he 
judged that it was the duty of each soldier to return wholly to 
the pursuits of peace, leaving the memories of the War uatxl 
they should be softened by time. 



3II.77-I 



